Optical systems for head-worn computers

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to optical systems with ergonomic presentation of content for use in head-worn computing systems. A method for controlling a head-worn computer when viewing virtual images, including image content, that encourages an ergonomic head position to reduce neck pain, includes determining an angle of the head-worn computer relative to horizontal, determining an angle of a line of sight to the center of the virtual image as presented to a user&#39;s eye, determining a deviation between the determined angle of the line of sight and a predetermined ergonomic angle, and shifting the image content of the virtual image vertically as displayed to the user&#39;s eye so that a portion of the image content is not viewable, wherein the amount of shifting is in reverse correspondence to the magnitude of the determined deviation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 16/719,815, filed on Dec. 18, 2019, which is a continuation ofU.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/058,383, filed on Mar. 2,2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,591,728, issued on Mar. 17, 2020, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This disclosure relates to optical systems for head-worn computersystems.

Description of Related Art

Head mounted displays (HMDs) and particularly HMDs that provide asee-through view of the environment are valuable instruments. Thepresentation of content in the see-through display can be a complicatedoperation when attempting to ensure that the user experience isoptimized. Improved systems and methods for presenting content in thesee-through display are required to improve the user experience.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems forproviding optical systems in head-worn computer systems.

These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages ofthe present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and thedrawings. All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated intheir entirety by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are described with reference to the following Figures. Thesame numbers may be used throughout to reference like features andcomponents that are shown in the Figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a head worn computing system in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a head worn computing system with optical system inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates upper and lower optical modules in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates angles of combiner elements in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates upper and lower optical modules in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates upper and lower optical modules in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates upper and lower optical modules in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates upper and lower optical modules in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9, 10 a, 10 b and 11 illustrate light sources and filters inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 12 a to 12 c illustrate light sources and quantum dot systems inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13 a to 13 c illustrate peripheral lighting systems in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 14 a to 14 h illustrate light suppression systems in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates an external user interface in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates external user interfaces in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate structured eye lighting systems according tothe principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates eye glint in the prediction of eye directionanalysis in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 a illustrates eye characteristics that may be used in personalidentification through analysis of a system according to the principlesof the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 b illustrates a digital content presentation reflection off ofthe wearer's eye that may be analyzed in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 illustrates eye imaging along various virtual target lines andvarious focal planes in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates content control with respect to eye movement basedon eye imaging in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates eye imaging and eye convergence in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates light impinging an eye in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates a view of an eye in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 26 a and 26 b illustrate views of an eye with a structured lightpattern in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 illustrates a user interface in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 illustrates a user interface in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 29 and 29 a illustrate haptic systems in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 is an illustration of a cross section of an emissive imagesource such as an OLED.

FIG. 31 shows a color filter layout wherein the colors repeat in rowsand the rows are offset from one another by one subpixel.

FIG. 32 shows a color filter layout wherein the colors repeat in rows.

FIG. 33 shows a color filter layout wherein the colors repeat in rowsand each row is offset from neighboring rows by 1½ subpixels.

FIG. 34 shows an illustration of rays of image light as emitted by asingle subpixel in a pixel.

FIG. 35 is an illustration of how the ray angles of the image lightsampled by a lens in forming an image for display in a typical compacthead-worn computer vary across an image source.

FIG. 35 a shows an illustration of a compact optical system with afolded optical path wherein light rays are shown passing through theoptics from the emissive image source to the eyebox where the user canview the image.

FIG. 35 b shows a thin lens layout with a relatively long focal lengthand a relatively narrow field of view.

FIG. 35 c shows a thin lens layout with a reduced length and a widerfield of view.

FIG. 36 is an illustration of the chief ray angles sampled by the lensover the surface of the image source.

FIG. 37 is an illustration of a cross section of a portion of an imagesource wherein Pixel 1 is a center pixel and Pixel 5 is an edge pixel.

FIG. 38 shows a modified color filter array wherein the color filterarray is somewhat larger than the array of subpixels.

FIG. 39 shows the effect of the progressively offset color filter array.

FIG. 40 shows an illustration of an optical solution wherein the raysfrom each subpixel are repointed so that zero angle rays become rayswith the chief ray angle matched to the sampling of the lens.

FIG. 41 shows an illustration of an array of subpixels on an imagesource, where is the center point of the image source is a subpixel inthe array of subpixels.

FIG. 42 illustrates a user looking at a phone.

FIGS. 43 and 44 illustrate a user wearing a HWC.

FIG. 45 illustrates a see-through head-worn display with displayedcontent.

FIG. 46 illustrates a user wearing a HWC.

FIG. 47 illustrates a see-through head-worn display with displayedcontent.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments would be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art and are encompassed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to head-worn computing (“HWC”)systems. HWC involves, in some instances, a system that mimics theappearance of head-worn glasses or sunglasses. The glasses may be afully developed computing platform, such as including computer displayspresented in each of the lenses of the glasses to the eyes of the user.In embodiments, the lenses and displays may be configured to allow aperson wearing the glasses to see the environment through the lenseswhile also seeing, simultaneously, digital imagery, which forms anoverlaid image that is perceived by the person as a digitally augmentedimage of the environment, or augmented reality (“AR”).

HWC involves more than just placing a computing system on a person'shead. The system may need to be designed as a lightweight, compact andfully functional computer display, such as wherein the computer displayincludes a high resolution digital display that provides a high level ofemersion comprised of the displayed digital content and the see-throughview of the environmental surroundings. User interfaces and controlsystems suited to the HWC device may be required that are unlike thoseused for a more conventional computer such as a laptop. For the HWC andassociated systems to be most effective, the glasses may be equippedwith sensors to determine environmental conditions, geographic location,relative positioning to other points of interest, objects identified byimaging and movement by the user or other users in a connected group,compass heading, head tilt, where the user is looking and the like. TheHWC may then change the mode of operation to match the conditions,location, positioning, movements, and the like, in a method generallyreferred to as a contextually aware HWC. The glasses also may need to beconnected, wirelessly or otherwise, to other systems either locally orthrough a network. Controlling the glasses may be achieved through theuse of an external device, automatically through contextually gatheredinformation, through user gestures captured by the glasses sensors, andthe like. Each technique may be further refined depending on thesoftware application being used in the glasses. The glasses may furtherbe used to control or coordinate with external devices that areassociated with the glasses.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an overview of the HWC system 100 is presented. Asshown, the HWC system 100 comprises a HWC 102, which in this instance isconfigured as glasses to be worn on the head with sensors such that theHWC 102 is aware of the objects and conditions in the environment 114.In this instance, the HWC 102 also receives and interprets controlinputs such as gestures and movements 116. The HWC 102 may communicatewith external user interfaces 104. The external user interfaces 104 mayprovide a physical user interface to take control instructions from auser of the HWC 102 and the external user interfaces 104 and the HWC 102may communicate bi-directionally to affect the user's command andprovide feedback to the external device 108. The HWC 102 may alsocommunicate bi-directionally with externally controlled or coordinatedlocal devices 108. For example, an external user interface 104 may beused in connection with the HWC 102 to control an externally controlledor coordinated local device 108. The externally controlled orcoordinated local device 108 may provide feedback to the HWC 102 and acustomized GUI may be presented in the HWC 102 based on the type ofdevice or specifically identified device 108. The HWC 102 may alsointeract with remote devices and information sources 112 through anetwork connection 110. Again, the external user interface 104 may beused in connection with the HWC 102 to control or otherwise interactwith any of the remote devices 108 and information sources 112 in asimilar way as when the external user interfaces 104 are used to controlor otherwise interact with the externally controlled or coordinatedlocal devices 108. Similarly, HWC 102 may interpret gestures 116 (e.gcaptured from forward, downward, upward, rearward facing sensors such ascamera(s), range finders, IR sensors, etc.) or environmental conditionssensed in the environment 114 to control either local or remote devices108 or 112.

We will now describe each of the main elements depicted on FIG. 1 inmore detail; however, these descriptions are intended to provide generalguidance and should not be construed as limiting. Additional descriptionof each element may also be further described herein.

The HWC 102 is a computing platform intended to be worn on a person'shead. The HWC 102 may take many different forms to fit many differentfunctional requirements. In some situations, the HWC 102 will bedesigned in the form of conventional glasses. The glasses may or may nothave active computer graphics displays. In situations where the HWC 102has integrated computer displays the displays may be configured assee-through displays such that the digital imagery can be overlaid withrespect to the user's view of the environment 114. There are a number ofsee-through optical designs that may be used, including ones that have areflective display (e.g. LCoS, DLP), emissive displays (e.g. OLED, LED),hologram, TIR waveguides, and the like. In embodiments, lighting systemsused in connection with the display optics may be solid state lightingsystems, such as LED, OLED, quantum dot, quantum dot LED, etc. Inaddition, the optical configuration may be monocular or binocular. Itmay also include vision corrective optical components. In embodiments,the optics may be packaged as contact lenses. In other embodiments, theHWC 102 may be in the form of a helmet with a see-through shield,sunglasses, safety glasses, goggles, a mask, fire helmet withsee-through shield, police helmet with see through shield, militaryhelmet with see-through shield, utility form customized to a certainwork task (e.g. inventory control, logistics, repair, maintenance,etc.), and the like.

The HWC 102 may also have a number of integrated computing facilities,such as an integrated processor, integrated power management,communication structures (e.g. cell net, WiFi, Bluetooth, local areaconnections, mesh connections, remote connections (e.g. client server,etc.)), and the like. The HWC 102 may also have a number of positionalawareness sensors, such as GPS, electronic compass, altimeter, tiltsensor, IMU, and the like. It may also have other sensors such as acamera, rangefinder, hyper-spectral camera, Geiger counter, microphone,spectral illumination detector, temperature sensor, chemical sensor,biologic sensor, moisture sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and the like.

The HWC 102 may also have integrated control technologies. Theintegrated control technologies may be contextual based control, passivecontrol, active control, user control, and the like. For example, theHWC 102 may have an integrated sensor (e.g. camera) that captures userhand or body gestures 116 such that the integrated processing system caninterpret the gestures and generate control commands for the HWC 102. Inanother example, the HWC 102 may have sensors that detect movement (e.g.a nod, head shake, and the like) including accelerometers, gyros andother inertial measurements, where the integrated processor mayinterpret the movement and generate a control command in response. TheHWC 102 may also automatically control itself based on measured orperceived environmental conditions. For example, if it is bright in theenvironment the HWC 102 may increase the brightness or contrast of thedisplayed image. In embodiments, the integrated control technologies maybe mounted on the HWC 102 such that a user can interact with itdirectly. For example, the HWC 102 may have a button(s), touchcapacitive interface, and the like.

As described herein, the HWC 102 may be in communication with externaluser interfaces 104. The external user interfaces may come in manydifferent forms. For example, a cell phone screen may be adapted to takeuser input for control of an aspect of the HWC 102. The external userinterface may be a dedicated UI (e.g. air mouse, finger mounted mouse),such as a keyboard, touch surface, button(s), joy stick, and the like.In embodiments, the external controller may be integrated into anotherdevice such as a ring, watch, bike, car, and the like. In each case, theexternal user interface 104 may include sensors (e.g. IMU,accelerometers, compass, altimeter, and the like) to provide additionalinput for controlling the HWD 104.

As described herein, the HWC 102 may control or coordinate with otherlocal devices 108. The external devices 108 may be an audio device,visual device, vehicle, cell phone, computer, and the like. Forinstance, the local external device 108 may be another HWC 102, whereinformation may then be exchanged between the separate HWCs 108.

Similar to the way the HWC 102 may control or coordinate with localdevices 106, the HWC 102 may control or coordinate with remote devices112, such as the HWC 102 communicating with the remote devices 112through a network 110. Again, the form of the remote device 112 may havemany forms. Included in these forms is another HWC 102. For example,each HWC 102 may communicate its GPS position such that all the HWCs 102know where all of HWC 102 are located.

FIG. 2 illustrates a HWC 102 with an optical system that includes anupper optical module 202 and a lower optical module 204. While the upperand lower optical modules 202 and 204 will generally be described asseparate modules, it should be understood that this is illustrative onlyand the present disclosure includes other physical configurations, suchas that when the two modules are combined into a single module or wherethe elements making up the two modules are configured into more than twomodules. In embodiments, the upper module 202 includes a computercontrolled display (e.g. LCoS, FLCoS, DLP, OLED, backlit LCD, etc.) andimage light delivery optics. In embodiments, the lower module includeseye delivery optics that are configured to receive the upper module'simage light and deliver the image light to the eye of a wearer of theHWC. In FIG. 2 , it should be noted that while the upper and loweroptical modules 202 and 204 are illustrated in one side of the HWC suchthat image light can be delivered to one eye of the wearer, that it isenvisioned by the present disclosure that embodiments will contain twoimage light delivery systems, one for each eye.

FIG. 3 illustrates a combination of an upper optical module 202 with alower optical module 204. In this embodiment, the image light projectedfrom the upper optical module 202 may or may not be polarized. The imagelight is reflected off a flat combiner element 602 such that it isdirected towards the user's eye. Wherein, the combiner element 602 is apartial mirror that reflects image light while transmitting asubstantial portion of light from the environment so the user can lookthrough the combiner element and see the environment surrounding theHWC.

The combiner 602 may include a holographic pattern, to form aholographic mirror. If a monochrome image is desired, there may be asingle wavelength reflection design for the holographic pattern on thesurface of the combiner 602. If the intention is to have multiple colorsreflected from the surface of the combiner 602, a multiple wavelengthholographic mirror maybe included on the combiner surface. For example,in a three-color embodiment, where red, green and blue pixels aregenerated in the image light, the holographic mirror may be reflectiveto wavelengths substantially matching the wavelengths of the red, greenand blue light provided in the image light. This configuration can beused as a wavelength specific mirror where pre-determined wavelengths oflight from the image light are reflected to the user's eye. Thisconfiguration may also be made such that substantially all otherwavelengths in the visible pass through the combiner element 602 so theuser has a substantially clear view of the environmental surroundingswhen looking through the combiner element 602. The transparency betweenthe user's eye and the surrounding may be approximately 80% when using acombiner that is a holographic mirror. Wherein holographic mirrors canbe made using lasers to produce interference patterns in the holographicmaterial of the combiner where the wavelengths of the lasers correspondto the wavelengths of light that are subsequently reflected by theholographic mirror.

In another embodiment, the combiner element 602 may include a notchmirror comprised of a multilayer coated substrate wherein the coating isdesigned to substantially reflect the wavelengths of light provided inthe image light by the light source and substantially transmit theremaining wavelengths in the visible spectrum. For example, in the casewhere red, green and blue light is provided by the light source in theupper optics to enable full color images to be provided to the user, thenotch mirror is a tristimulus notch mirror wherein the multilayercoating is designed to substantially reflect narrow bands of red, greenand blue light that are matched to the what is provided by the lightsource and the remaining visible wavelengths are substantiallytransmitted through the coating to enable a view of the environmentthrough the combiner. In another example where monochrome images areprovided to the user, the notch mirror is designed to reflect a singlenarrow band of light that is matched to the wavelength range of theimage light provided by the upper optics while transmitting theremaining visible wavelengths to enable a see-thru view of theenvironment. The combiner 602 with the notch mirror would operate, fromthe user's perspective, in a manner similar to the combiner thatincludes a holographic pattern on the combiner element 602. Thecombiner, with the tristimulus notch mirror, would reflect image lightassociated with pixels, to the eye because of the match between thereflective wavelengths of the notch mirror and the wavelengths or colorof the image light, and the wearer would simultaneously be able to seewith high clarity the environmental surroundings. The transparencybetween the user's eye and the surrounding may be approximately 80% whenusing the tristimulus notch mirror. In addition, the image provided withthe notch mirror combiner can provide higher contrast images than theholographic mirror combiner because the notch mirror acts in a purelyreflective manner compared to the holographic mirror which operatesthrough diffraction, and as such the notch mirror is subject to lessscattering of the imaging light by the combiner. In another embodiment,the combiner element 602 may include a simple partial mirror thatreflects a portion (e.g. 50%) of all wavelengths of light in thevisible.

Image light can escape through the combiner 602 and may produce faceglow from the optics shown in FIG. 3 , as the escaping image light isgenerally directed downward onto the cheek of the user. When using aholographic mirror combiner or a tristimulus notch mirror combiner, theescaping light can be trapped to avoid face glow. In embodiments, if theimage light is polarized before the combiner, a linear polarizer can belaminated, or otherwise associated, to the combiner, with thetransmission axis of the polarizer oriented relative to the polarizedimage light so that any escaping image light is absorbed by thepolarizer. In embodiments, the image light would be polarized to provideS polarized light to the combiner for better reflection. As a result,the linear polarizer on the combiner would be oriented to absorb Spolarized light and pass P polarized light. This provides the preferredorientation of polarized sunglasses as well.

If the image light is unpolarized, a microlouvered film such as aprivacy filter can be used to absorb the escaping image light whileproviding the user with a see-thru view of the environment. In thiscase, the absorbance or transmittance of the microlouvered film isdependent on the angle of the light. Where steep angle light is absorbedand light at less of an angle is transmitted. For this reason, in anembodiment, the combiner with the microlouver film is angled at greaterthan 45 degrees to the optical axis of the image light (e.g. thecombiner can be oriented at 50 degrees so the image light from the filelens is incident on the combiner at an oblique angle.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a combiner element 602 at variousangles when the combiner element 602 includes a holographic mirror.Normally, a mirrored surface reflects light at an angle equal to theangle that the light is incident to the mirrored surface. Typically,this necessitates that the combiner element be at 45 degrees, 602 a, ifthe light is presented vertically to the combiner so the light can bereflected horizontally towards the wearer's eye. In embodiments, theincident light can be presented at angles other than vertical to enablethe mirror surface to be oriented at other than 45 degrees, but in allcases wherein a mirrored surface is employed (including the tristimulusnotch mirror described previously), the incident angle equals thereflected angle. As a result, increasing the angle of the combiner 602 arequires that the incident image light be presented to the combiner 602a at a different angle which positions the upper optical module 202 tothe left of the combiner as shown in FIG. 4 . In contrast, a holographicmirror combiner, included in embodiments, can be made such that light isreflected at a different angle from the angle that the light is incidentonto the holographic mirrored surface. This allows freedom to select theangle of the combiner element 602 b independent of the angle of theincident image light and the angle of the light reflected into thewearer's eye. In embodiments, the angle of the combiner element 602 b isgreater than 45 degrees (shown in FIG. 4 ) as this allows a morelaterally compact HWC design. The increased angle of the combinerelement 602 b decreases the front to back width of the lower opticalmodule 204 and may allow for a thinner HWC display (i.e. the furthestelement from the wearer's eye can be closer to the wearer's face).

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a lower optical module 204. Inthis embodiment, polarized or unpolarized image light provided by theupper optical module 202, is directed into the lower optical module 204.The image light reflects off a partial mirror 804 (e.g. polarizedmirror, notch mirror, holographic mirror, etc.) and is directed toward acurved partially reflective mirror 802. The curved partial mirror 802then reflects the image light back towards the user's eye, which passesthrough the partial mirror 804. The user can also see through thepartial mirror 804 and the curved partial mirror 802 to see thesurrounding environment. As a result, the user perceives a combinedimage comprised of the displayed image light overlaid onto the see-thruview of the environment. In a preferred embodiment, the partial mirror804 and the curved partial mirror 802 are both non-polarizing so thatthe transmitted light from the surrounding environment is unpolarized sothat rainbow interference patterns are eliminated when looking atpolarized light in the environment such as provided by a computermonitor or in the reflected light from a lake.

While many of the embodiments of the present disclosure have beenreferred to as upper and lower modules containing certain opticalcomponents, it should be understood that the image light production andmanagement functions described in connection with the upper module maybe arranged to direct light in other directions (e.g. upward, sideward,etc.). In embodiments, it may be preferred to mount the upper module 202above the wearer's eye, in which case the image light would be directeddownward. In other embodiments it may be preferred to produce light fromthe side of the wearer's eye, or from below the wearer's eye. Inaddition, the lower optical module is generally configured to deliverthe image light to the wearer's eye and allow the wearer to see throughthe lower optical module, which may be accomplished through a variety ofoptical components.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure where theupper optical module 202 is arranged to direct image light into a totalinternal reflection (TIR) waveguide 810. In this embodiment, the upperoptical module 202 is positioned above the wearer's eye 812 and thelight is directed horizontally into the TIR waveguide 810. The TIRwaveguide is designed to internally reflect the image light in a seriesof downward TIR reflections until it reaches the portion in front of thewearer's eye, where the light passes out of the TIR waveguide 812 in adirection toward the wearer's eye. In this embodiment, an outer shield814 may be positioned in front of the TIR waveguide 810.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure where theupper optical module 202 is arranged to direct image light into a TIRwaveguide 818. In this embodiment, the upper optical module 202 isarranged on the side of the TIR waveguide 818. For example, the upperoptical module may be positioned in the arm or near the arm of the HWCwhen configured as a pair of head worn glasses. The TIR waveguide 818 isdesigned to internally reflect the image light in a series of TIRreflections until it reaches the portion in front of the wearer's eye,where the light passes out of the TIR waveguide 818 in a directiontoward the wearer's eye 812.

FIG. 8 illustrates yet further embodiments of the present disclosurewhere an upper optical module 202 directs polarized image light into anoptical guide 828 where the image light passes through a polarizedreflector 824, changes polarization state upon reflection of the opticalelement 822 which includes a ¼ wave film for example and then isreflected by the polarized reflector 824 towards the wearer's eye, dueto the change in polarization of the image light. The upper opticalmodule 202 may be positioned behind the optical guide 828 wherein theimage light is directed toward a mirror 820 that reflects the imagelight along the optical guide 828 and towards the polarized reflector824. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the upper optical module 202may direct the image light directly along the optical guide 828 andtowards the polarized reflector 824. It should be understood that thepresent disclosure comprises other optical arrangements intended todirect image light into the wearer's eye.

FIG. 9 illustrates a light source 1100 that may be used in associationwith the upper optics module 202. In embodiments, the light source 1100may provide light to a backlighting optical system that is associatedwith the light source 1100 and which serves to homogenize the light andthereby provide uniform illuminating light to an image source in theupper optics. In embodiments, the light source 1100 includes atristimulus notch filter 1102. The tristimulus notch filter 1102 hasnarrow band pass filters for three wavelengths, as indicated in FIG. 10b in a transmission graph 1108. The graph shown in FIG. 10 a , as 1104illustrates an output of three different colored LEDs. One can see thatthe bandwidths of emission are narrow, but they have long tails. Thetristimulus notch filter 1102 can be used in connection with such LEDsto provide a light source 1100 that emits narrow filtered wavelengths oflight as shown in FIG. 11 as the transmission graph 1110. Wherein theclipping effects of the tristimulus notch filter 1102 can be seen tohave cut the tails from the LED emission graph 1104 to provide narrowerwavelength bands of light to the upper optical module 202. The lightsource 1100 can be used in connection with a matched combiner 602 thatincludes a holographic mirror or tristimulus notch mirror thatsubstantially reflects the narrow bands of image light toward thewearer's eye with a reduced amount of image light that does not getreflected by the combiner, thereby improving efficiency of the head-worncomputer (HWC) or head-mounted display (HMD) and reducing escaping lightthat can cause faceglow.

FIG. 12 a illustrates another light source 1200 that may be used inassociation with the upper optics module 202. In embodiments, the lightsource 1200 may provide light to a backlighting optical system thathomogenizes the light prior to illuminating the image source in theupper optics as described previously herein. In embodiments, the lightsource 1200 includes a quantum dot cover glass 1202. Where the quantumdots absorb light of a shorter wavelength and emit light of a longerwavelength (FIG. 12 b shows an example wherein a UV spectrum 1202applied to a quantum dot results in the quantum dot emitting a narrowband shown as a PL spectrum 1204) that is dependent on the materialmakeup and size of the quantum dot. As a result, quantum dots in thequantum dot cover glass 1202 can be tailored to provide one or morebands of narrow bandwidth light (e.g. red, green and blue emissionsdependent on the different quantum dots included as illustrated in thegraph shown in FIG. 12 c where three different quantum dots are used. Inembodiments, the LED driver light emits UV light, deep blue or bluelight. For sequential illumination of different colors, multiple lightsources 1200 would be used where each light source 1200 would include aquantum dot cover glass 1202 with at least one type of quantum dotselected to emit at one of each of the desired colors. The light source1100 can be used in connection with a combiner 602 with a holographicmirror or tristimulus notch mirror to provide narrow bands of imagelight that are reflected toward the wearer's eye with less wasted imagelight that does not get reflected.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the generation ofperipheral image lighting effects for a person wearing a HWC. Inembodiments, a solid state lighting system (e.g. LED, OLED, etc), orother lighting system, may be included inside the optical elements of anlower optical module 204. The solid state lighting system may bearranged such that lighting effects outside of a field of view (FOV)associated with displayed digital content is presented to create animmersive effect for the person wearing the HWC. To this end, thelighting effects may be presented to any portion of the HWC that isvisible to the wearer. The solid state lighting system may be digitallycontrolled by an integrated processor on the HWC. In embodiments, theintegrated processor will control the lighting effects in coordinationwith digital content that is presented within the FOV of the HWC. Forexample, a movie, picture, game, or other content, may be displayed orplaying within the FOV of the HWC. The content may show a bomb blast onthe right side of the FOV and at the same moment, the solid statelighting system inside of the upper module optics may flash quickly inconcert with the FOV image effect. The effect may not be fast, it may bemore persistent to indicate, for example, a general glow or color on oneside of the user. The solid state lighting system may be colorcontrolled, with red, green and blue LEDs, for example, such that colorcontrol can be coordinated with the digitally presented content withinthe field of view.

FIG. 13 a illustrates optical components of a lower optical module 204together with an outer lens 1302. FIG. 13 a also shows an embodimentincluding effects LED's 1308 a and 1308 b. FIG. 13 a illustrates imagelight 1312, as described herein elsewhere, directed into the upperoptical module where it will reflect off of the combiner element 1304,as described herein elsewhere. The combiner element 1304 in thisembodiment is angled towards the wearer's eye at the top of the moduleand away from the wearer's eye at the bottom of the module, as alsoillustrated and described in connection with FIG. 8 (e.g. at a 45 degreeangle). The image light 1312 provided by an upper optical module 202(not shown in FIG. 13 a ) reflects off of the combiner element 1304towards the collimating mirror 1310, away from the wearer's eye, asdescribed herein elsewhere. The image light 1312 then reflects andfocuses off of the collimating mirror 1304, passes back through thecombiner element 1304, and is directed into the wearer's eye. The wearercan also view the surrounding environment through the transparency ofthe combiner element 1304, collimating mirror 1310, and outer lens 1302(if it is included). As described herein elsewhere, the image light mayor may not be polarized and the see-through view of the surroundingenvironment is preferably non-polarized to provide a view of thesurrounding environment that does not include rainbow interferencepatterns if the light from the surrounding environment is polarized suchas from a computer monitor or reflections from a lake. The wearer willgenerally perceive that the image light forms an image in the FOV 1305.In embodiments, the outer lens 1302 may be included. The outer lens 1302is an outer lens that may or may not be corrective and it may bedesigned to conceal the lower optical module components in an effort tomake the HWC appear to be in a form similar to standard glasses orsunglasses.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13 a , the effects LEDs 1308 a and1308 b are positioned at the sides of the combiner element 1304 and theouter lens 1302 and/or the collimating mirror 1310. In embodiments, theeffects LEDs 1308 a are positioned within the confines defined by thecombiner element 1304 and the outer lens 1302 and/or the collimatingmirror. The effects LEDs 1308 a and 1308 b are also positioned outsideof the FOV 1305 associated with the displayed digital content. In thisarrangement, the effects LEDs 1308 a and 1308 b can provide lightingeffects within the lower optical module outside of the FOV 1305. Inembodiments the light emitted from the effects LEDs 1308 a and 1308 bmay be polarized and the outer lens 1302 may include a polarizer suchthat the light from the effects LEDs 1308 a and 1308 b will pass throughthe combiner element 1304 toward the wearer's eye and will be absorbedby the outer lens 1302. This arrangement provides peripheral lightingeffects to the wearer in a more private setting by not transmitting thelighting effects through the front of the HWC into the surroundingenvironment. However, in other embodiments, the effects LEDs 1308 a and1308 b may be non-polarized so the lighting effects provided are made tobe purposefully viewable by others in the environment for entertainmentsuch as giving the effect of the wearer's eye glowing in correspondenceto the image content being viewed by the wearer.

FIG. 13 b illustrates a cross section of the embodiment described inconnection with FIG. 13 a . As illustrated, the effects LED 1308 a islocated in the upper-front area inside of the optical components of thelower optical module. It should be understood that the effects LED 1308a position in the described embodiments is only illustrative andalternate placements are encompassed by the present disclosure.Additionally, in embodiments, there may be one or more effects LEDs 1308a in each of the two sides of HWC to provide peripheral lighting effectsnear one or both eyes of the wearer.

FIG. 13 c illustrates an embodiment where the combiner element 1304 isangled away from the eye at the top and towards the eye at the bottom(e.g. in accordance with the holographic or notch filter embodimentsdescribed herein). In this embodiment, the effects LED 1308 a may belocated on the outer lens 1302 side of the combiner element 1304 toprovide a concealed appearance of the lighting effects. As with otherembodiments, the effects LED 1308 a of FIG. 13 c may include a polarizersuch that the emitted light can pass through a polarized elementassociated with the combiner element 1304 and be blocked by a polarizedelement associated with the outer lens 1302. Alternatively the effectsLED 13087 a can be configured such that at least a portion of the lightis reflected away from the wearer's eye so that it is visible to peoplein the surrounding environment. This can be accomplished for example byusing a combiner 1304 that is a simple partial mirror so that a portionof the image light 1312 is reflected toward the wearer's eye and a firstportion of the light from the effects LED 13087 a is transmitted towardthe wearer's eye and a second portion of the light from the effects LED1308 a is reflected outward toward the surrounding environment.

FIGS. 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d show illustrations of a HWC thatincludes eye covers 1402 to restrict loss of image light to thesurrounding environment and to restrict the ingress of stray light fromthe environment. Where the eye covers 1402 can be removably attached tothe HWC with magnets 1404. Another aspect of the present disclosurerelates to automatically configuring the lighting system(s) used in theHWC 102. In embodiments, the display lighting and/or effects lighting,as described herein, may be controlled in a manner suitable for when aneye cover 1402 is attached or removed from the HWC 102. For example, atnight, when the light in the environment is low, the lighting system(s)in the HWC may go into a low light mode to further control any amountsof stray light escaping from the HWC and the areas around the HWC.Covert operations at night, while using night vision or standard vision,may require a solution which prevents as much escaping light as possibleso a user may clip on the eye cover(s) 1402 and then the HWC may go intoa low light mode. The low light mode may, in some embodiments, only gointo a low light mode when the eye cover 1402 is attached if the HWCidentifies that the environment is in low light conditions (e.g. throughenvironment light level sensor detection). In embodiments, the low lightlevel may be determined to be at an intermediate point between full andlow light dependent on environmental conditions.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to automaticallycontrolling the type of content displayed in the HWC when eye covers1402 are attached or removed from the HWC. In embodiments, when the eyecover(s) 1402 is attached to the HWC, the displayed content may berestricted in amount or in color amounts. For example, the display(s)may go into a simple content delivery mode to restrict the amount ofinformation displayed. This may be done to reduce the amount of lightproduced by the display(s). In an embodiment, the display(s) may changefrom color displays to monochrome displays to reduce the amount of lightproduced. In an embodiment, the monochrome lighting may be red to limitthe impact on the wearer's eyes to maintain an ability to see better inthe dark.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system adapted toquickly convert from a see-through system to a non-see-through or verylow transmission see-through system for a more immersive userexperience. The conversion system may include replaceable lenses, an eyecover, and optics adapted to provide user experiences in both modes. Theouter lenses, for example, may be ‘blacked-out’ with an opaque cover1412 to provide an experience where all of the user's attention isdedicated to the digital content and then the outer lenses may beswitched out for high see-through lenses so the digital content isaugmenting the user's view of the surrounding environment. Anotheraspect of the disclosure relates to low transmission outer lenses thatpermit the user to see through the outer lenses but remain dark enoughto maintain most of the user's attention on the digital content. Theslight see-through can provide the user with a visual connection to thesurrounding environment and this can reduce or eliminate nausea andother problems associated with total removal of the surrounding viewwhen viewing digital content.

FIG. 14 d illustrates a head-worn computer system 102 with a see-throughdigital content display 204 adapted to include a removable outer lens1414 and a removable eye cover 1402. The eye cover 1402 may be attachedto the head-worn computer 102 with magnets 1404 or other attachmentsystems (e.g. mechanical attachments, a snug friction fit between thearms of the head-worn computer 102, etc.). The eye cover 1402 may beattached when the user wants to cut stray light from escaping theconfines of the head-worn computer, create a more immersive experienceby removing the otherwise viewable peripheral view of the surroundingenvironment, etc. The removable outer lens 1414 may be of severalvarieties for various experiences. It may have no transmission or a verylow transmission to create a dark background for the digital content,creating an immersive experience for the digital content. It may have ahigh transmission so the user can see through the see-through displayand the outer lens 1414 to view the surrounding environment, creating asystem for a heads-up display, augmented reality display, assistedreality display, etc. The outer lens 1414 may be dark in a middleportion to provide a dark background for the digital content (i.e. darkbackdrop behind the see-through field of view from the user'sperspective) and a higher transmission area elsewhere. The outer lenses1414 may have a transmission in the range of 2 to 5%, 5 to 10%, 10 to20% for the immersion effect and above 10% or 20% for the augmentedreality effect, for example. The outer lenses 1414 may also have anadjustable transmission to facilitate the change in system effect. Forexample, the outer lenses 1414 may be electronically adjustable tintlenses (e.g. liquid crystal or have crossed polarizers with anadjustment for the level of cross).

In embodiments, the eye cover 1402 may have areas of transparency orpartial transparency to provide some visual connection with the user'ssurrounding environment. This may also reduce or eliminate nausea orother feelings associated with the complete removal of the view of thesurrounding environment.

FIG. 14 e illustrates a HWC 102 assembled with an eye cover 1402 withoutouter lenses in place. The outer lenses, in embodiments, may be held inplace with magnets 1418 for ease of removal and replacement. Inembodiments, the outer lenses may be held in place with other systems,such as mechanical systems.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an effects systemthat generates effects outside of the field of view in the see-throughdisplay of the head-worn computer. The effects may be, for example,lighting effects, sound effects, tactile effects (e.g. throughvibration), air movement effects, etc. In embodiments, the effectgeneration system is mounted on the eye cover 1402. For example, alighting system (e.g. LED(s), OLEDs, etc.) may be mounted on an insidesurface 1420, or exposed through the inside surface 1420, as illustratedin FIG. 14 f , such that they can create a lighting effect (e.g. abright light, colored light, subtle color effect) in coordination withcontent being displayed in the field of view of the see-through display.The content may be a movie or a game, for example, and an explosion mayhappen on the right side of the content, as scripted, and matching thecontent, a bright flash may be generated by the effects lighting systemto create a stronger effect. As another example, the effects system mayinclude a vibratory system mounted near the sides or temples, orotherwise, and when the same explosion occurs, the vibratory system maygenerate a vibration on the right side to increase the user experienceindicating that the explosion had a real sound wave creating thevibration. As yet a further example, the effects system may have an airsystem where the effect is a puff of air blown onto the user's face.This may create a feeling of closeness with some fast moving object inthe content. The effects system may also have speakers directed towardsthe user's ears or an attachment for ear buds, etc.

In embodiments, the effects generated by the effects system may bescripted by an author to coordinate with the content. In embodiments,sensors may be placed inside of the eye cover to monitor content effects(e.g. a light sensor to measure strong lighting effects or peripherallighting effects) that would than cause an effect(s) to be generated.

The effects system in the eye cover may be powered by an internalbattery and the battery, in embodiments, may also provide additionalpower to the head-worn computer 102 as a back-up system. In embodiments,the effects system is powered by the batteries in the head-worncomputer. Power may be delivered through the attachment system (e.g.magnets, mechanical system) or a dedicated power system.

The effects system may receive data and/or commands from the head-worncomputer through a data connection that is wired or wireless. The datamay come through the attachment system, a separate line, or throughBluetooth or other short range communication protocol, for example.

In embodiments, the eye cover 1402 is made of reticulated foam, which isvery light and can contour to the user's face. The reticulated foam alsoallows air to circulate because of the open-celled nature of thematerial, which can reduce user fatigue and increase user comfort. Theeye cover 1402 may be made of other materials, soft, stiff, priable,etc. and may have another material on the periphery that contacts theface for comfort. In embodiments, the eye cover 1402 may include a fanto exchange air between an external environment and an internal space,where the internal space is defined in part by the face of the user. Thefan may operate very slowly and at low power to exchange the air to keepthe face of the user cool. In embodiments the fan may have a variablespeed controller and/or a temperature sensor may be positioned tomeasure temperature in the internal space to control the temperature inthe internal space to a specified range, temperature, etc. The internalspace is generally characterized by the space confined space in front ofthe user's eyes and upper cheeks where the eye cover encloses the area.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to flexibly mounting anaudio headset on the head-worn computer 102 and/or the eye cover 1402.In embodiments, the audio headset is mounted with a relatively rigidsystem that has flexible joint(s) (e.g. a rotational joint at theconnection with the eye cover, a rotational joint in the middle of arigid arm, etc.) and extension(s) (e.g. a telescopic arm) to provide theuser with adjustability to allow for a comfortable fit over, in oraround the user's ear. In embodiments, the audio headset is mounted witha flexible system that is more flexible throughout, such as with awire-based connection.

FIG. 14 g illustrates a head-worn computer 102 with removable lenses1414 along with a mounted eye cover 1402. The head-worn computer, inembodiments, includes a see-through display (as disclosed herein). Theeye cover 1402 also includes a mounted audio headset 1422. The mountedaudio headset 1422 in this embodiment is mounted to the eye cover 1402and has audio wire connections (not shown). In embodiments, the audiowires' connections may connect to an internal wireless communicationsystem (e.g. Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi) to make connection to the processorin the head-worn computer. In embodiments, the audio wires may connectto a magnetic connector, mechanical connector or the like to make theconnection.

FIG. 14 h illustrates an unmounted eye cover 1402 with a mounted audioheadset 1422. As illustrated, the mechanical design of the eye cover isadapted to fit onto the head-worn computer to provide visual isolationor partial isolation and the audio headset.

In embodiments, the eye cover 1402 may be adapted to be removablymounted on a head-worn computer 102 with a see-through computer display.An audio headset 1422 with an adjustable mount may be connected to theeye cover, wherein the adjustable mount may provide extension androtation to provide a user of the head-worn computer with a mechanism toalign the audio headset with an ear of the user. In embodiments, theaudio headset includes an audio wire connected to a connector on the eyecover and the eye cover connector may be adapted to removably mate witha connector on the head-worn computer. In embodiments, the audio headsetmay be adapted to receive audio signals from the head-worn computer 102through a wireless connection (e.g. Bluetooth, WiFi). As describedelsewhere herein, the head-worn computer 102 may have a removable andreplaceable front lens 1414. The eye cover 1402 may include a battery topower systems internal to the eye cover 1402. The eye cover 1402 mayhave a battery to power systems internal to the head-worn computer 102.

In embodiments, the eye cover 1402 may include a fan adapted to exchangeair between an internal space, defined in part by the user's face, andan external environment to cool the air in the internal space and theuser's face. In embodiments, the audio headset 1422 may include avibratory system (e.g. a vibration motor, piezo motor, etc. in thearmature and/or in the section over the ear) adapted to provide the userwith a haptic feedback coordinated with digital content presented in thesee-through computer display. In embodiments, the head-worn computer 102includes a vibratory system adapted to provide the user with a hapticfeedback coordinated with digital content presented in the see-throughcomputer display.

In embodiments, the eye cover 1402 is adapted to be removably mounted ona head-worn computer with a see-through computer display. The eye cover1402 may also include a flexible audio headset mounted to the eye cover1402, wherein the flexibility provides the user of the head-worncomputer 102 with a mechanism to align the audio headset with an ear ofthe user. In embodiments, the flexible audio headset is mounted to theeye cover 1402 with a magnetic connection. In embodiments, the flexibleaudio headset may be mounted to the eye cover 1402 with a mechanicalconnection.

In embodiments, the audio headset 1422 may be spring or otherwise loadedsuch that the head set presses inward towards the user's ears for a moresecure fit.

Referring to FIG. 15 , we now turn to describe a particular externaluser interface 104, referred to generally as a pen 1500. The pen 1500 isa specially designed external user interface 104 and can operate as auser interface, to many different styles of HWC 102. The pen 1500generally follows the form of a conventional pen, which is a familiaruser handled device and creates an intuitive physical interface for manyof the operations to be carried out in the HWC system 100. The pen 1500may be one of several user interfaces 104 used in connection withcontrolling operations within the HWC system 100. For example, the HWC102 may watch for and interpret hand gestures 116 as control signals,where the pen 1500 may also be used as a user interface with the sameHWC 102. Similarly, a remote keyboard may be used as an external userinterface 104 in concert with the pen 1500. The combination of userinterfaces or the use of just one control system generally depends onthe operation(s) being executed in the HWC's system 100.

While the pen 1500 may follow the general form of a conventional pen, itcontains numerous technologies that enable it to function as an externaluser interface 104. FIG. 15 illustrates technologies comprised in thepen 1500. As can be seen, the pen 1500 may include a camera 1508, whichis arranged to view through lens 1502. The camera may then be focused,such as through lens 1502, to image a surface upon which a user iswriting or making other movements to interact with the HWC 102. Thereare situations where the pen 1500 will also have an ink, graphite, orother system such that what is being written can be seen on the writingsurface. There are other situations where the pen 1500 does not havesuch a physical writing system so there is no deposit on the writingsurface, where the pen would only be communicating data or commands tothe HWC 102. The lens 1502 configuration is described in greater detailherein. The function of the camera 1508 is to capture information froman unstructured writing surface such that pen strokes can be interpretedas intended by the user. To assist in the predication of the intendedstroke path, the pen 1500 may include a sensor, such as an IMU 1512. Ofcourse, the IMU could be included in the pen 1500 in its separate parts(e.g. gyro, accelerometer, etc.) or an IMU could be included as a singleunit. In this instance, the IMU 1512 is used to measure and predict themotion of the pen 1500. In turn, the integrated microprocessor 1510would take the IMU information and camera information as inputs andprocess the information to form a prediction of the pen tip movement.

The pen 1500 may also include a pressure monitoring system 1504, such asto measure the pressure exerted on the lens 1502. As will be describedin greater detail herein, the pressure measurement can be used topredict the user's intention for changing the weight of a line, type ofa line, type of brush, click, double click, and the like. Inembodiments, the pressure sensor may be constructed using any force orpressure measurement sensor located behind the lens 1502, including forexample, a resistive sensor, a current sensor, a capacitive sensor, avoltage sensor such as a piezoelectric sensor, and the like.

The pen 1500 may also include a communications module 1518, such as forbi-directional communication with the HWC 102. In embodiments, thecommunications module 1518 may be a short distance communication module(e.g. Bluetooth). The communications module 1518 may be security matchedto the HWC 102. The communications module 1518 may be arranged tocommunicate data and commands to and from the microprocessor 1510 of thepen 1500. The microprocessor 1510 may be programmed to interpret datagenerated from the camera 1508, IMU 1512, and pressure sensor 1504, andthe like, and then pass a command onto the HWC 102 through thecommunications module 1518, for example. In another embodiment, the datacollected from any of the input sources (e.g. camera 1508, IMU 1512,pressure sensor 1504) by the microprocessor may be communicated by thecommunication module 1518 to the HWC 102, and the HWC 102 may performdata processing and prediction of the user's intention when using thepen 1500. In yet another embodiment, the data may be further passed onthrough a network 110 to a remote device 112, such as a server, for thedata processing and prediction. The commands may then be communicatedback to the HWC 102 for execution (e.g. display writing in the glassesdisplay, make a selection within the UI of the glasses display, controla remote external device 112, control a local external device 108), andthe like. The pen may also include memory 1514 for long or short termuses.

The pen 1500 may also include a number of physical user interfaces, suchas quick launch buttons 1522, a touch sensor 1520, and the like. Thequick launch buttons 1522 may be adapted to provide the user with a fastway of jumping to a software application in the HWC system 100. Forexample, the user may be a frequent user of communication softwarepackages (e.g. email, text, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Google+, andthe like), and the user may program a quick launch button 1522 tocommand the HWC 102 to launch an application. The pen 1500 may beprovided with several quick launch buttons 1522, which may be userprogrammable or factory programmable. The quick launch button 1522 maybe programmed to perform an operation. For example, one of the buttonsmay be programmed to clear the digital display of the HWC 102. Thiswould create a fast way for the user to clear the screens on the HWC 102for any reason, such as for example to better view the environment. Thequick launch button functionality will be discussed in further detailbelow. The touch sensor 1520 may be used to take gesture style inputfrom the user. For example, the user may be able to take a single fingerand run it across the touch sensor 1520 to affect a page scroll.

The pen 1500 may also include a laser pointer 1524. The laser pointer1524 may be coordinated with the IMU 1512 to coordinate gestures andlaser pointing. For example, a user may use the laser 1524 in apresentation to help with guiding the audience with the interpretationof graphics and the IMU 1512 may, either simultaneously or when thelaser 1524 is off, interpret the user's gestures as commands or datainput.

FIG. 16 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 16 illustrates a watchband clip-on controller 2000. The watchbandclip-on controller may be a controller used to control the HWC 102 ordevices in the HWC system 100. The watchband clip-on controller 2000 hasa fastener 2018 (e.g. rotatable clip) that is mechanically adapted toattach to a watchband, as illustrated at 2004.

The watchband controller 2000 may have quick launch interfaces 2008(e.g. to launch applications and choosers as described herein), a touchpad 2014 (e.g. to be used as a touch style mouse for GUI control in aHWC 102 display) and a display 2012. The clip 2018 may be adapted to fita wide range of watchbands so it can be used in connection with a watchthat is independently selected for its function. The clip, inembodiments, is rotatable such that a user can position it in adesirable manner. In embodiments the clip may be a flexible strap. Inembodiments, the flexible strap may be adapted to be stretched to attachto a hand, wrist, finger, device, weapon, and the like.

In embodiments, the watchband controller may be configured as aremovable and replacable watchband. For example, the controller may beincorporated into a band with a certain width, segment spacing's, etc.such that the watchband, with its incorporated controller, can beattached to a watch body. The attachment, in embodiments, may bemechanically adapted to attach with a pin upon which the watchbandrotates. In embodiments, the watchband controller may be electricallyconnected to the watch and/or watch body such that the watch, watch bodyand/or the watchband controller can communicate data between them.

The watchband controller 2000 may have 3-axis motion monitoring (e.g.through an IMU, accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, etc.) tocapture user motion. The user motion may then be interpreted for gesturecontrol.

In embodiments, the watchband controller 2000 may comprise fitnesssensors and a fitness computer. The sensors may track heart rate,calories burned, strides, distance covered, and the like. The data maythen be compared against performance goals and/or standards for userfeedback.

In embodiments directed to capturing images of the wearer's eye, lightto illuminate the wearer's eye can be provided by several differentsources including: light from the displayed image (i.e. image light);light from the environment that passes through the combiner or otheroptics; light provided by a dedicated eye light, etc. FIGS. 17 and 18show illustrations of dedicated eye illumination lights 3420. FIG. 17shows an illustration from a side view in which the dedicatedillumination eye light 3420 is positioned at a corner of the combiner3410 so that it doesn't interfere with the image light 3415. Thededicated eye illumination light 3420 is pointed so that the eyeillumination light 3425 illuminates the eyebox 3427 where the eye 3430is located when the wearer is viewing displayed images provided by theimage light 3415. FIG. 18 shows an illustration from the perspective ofthe eye of the wearer to show how the dedicated eye illumination light3420 is positioned at the corner of the combiner 3410. While thededicated eye illumination light 3420 is shown at the upper left cornerof the combiner 3410, other positions along one of the edges of thecombiner 3410, or other optical or mechanical components, are possibleas well. In other embodiments, more than one dedicated eye light 3420with different positions can be used. In an embodiment, the dedicatedeye light 3420 is an infrared light that is not visible by the wearer(e.g. 800 nm) so that the eye illumination light 3425 doesn't interferewith the displayed image perceived by the wearer.

In embodiments, the eye imaging camera is inline with the image lightoptical path, or part of the image light optical path. For example, theeye camera may be positioned in the upper module to capture eye imagelight that reflects back through the optical system towards the imagedisplay. The eye image light may be captured after reflecting off of theimage source (e.g. in a DLP configuration where the mirrors can bepositioned to reflect the light towards the eye image light camera), apartially reflective surface may be placed along the image light opticalpath such that when the eye image light reflects back into the upper orlower module that it is reflected in a direction that the eye imagingcamera can capture light eye image light. In other embodiments, the eyeimage light camera is positioned outside of the image light opticalpath. For example, the camera(s) may be positioned near the outer lensof the platform.

FIG. 19 shows a series of illustrations of captured eye images that showthe eye glint (i.e. light that reflects off the front of the eye)produced by a dedicated eye light mounted adjacent to the combiner aspreviously described herein. In this embodiment of the disclosure,captured images of the wearer's eye are analyzed to determine therelative positions of the iris 3550, pupil, or other portion of the eye,and the eye glint 3560. The eye glint is a reflected image of thededicated eye light 3420 when the dedicated light is used. FIG. 19illustrates the relative positions of the iris 3550 and the eye glint3560 for a variety of eye positions. By providing a dedicated eye light3420 in a fixed position, combined with the fact that the human eye isessentially spherical, or at least a reliably repeatable shape, the eyeglint provides a fixed reference point against which the determinedposition of the iris can be compared to determine where the wearer islooking, either within the displayed image or within the see-throughview of the surrounding environment. By positioning the dedicated eyelight 3420 at a corner of the combiner 3410, the eye glint 3560 isformed away from the iris 3550 in the captured images. As a result, thepositions of the iris and the eye glint can be determined more easilyand more accurately during the analysis of the captured images, sincethey do not interfere with one another. In a further embodiment, thecombiner includes an associated cut filter that prevents infrared lightfrom the environment from entering the HWC and the eye camera is aninfrared camera, so that the eye glint 3560 is only provided by lightfrom the dedicated eye light. For example, the combiner can include alow pass filter that passes visible light while reflecting infraredlight from the environment away from the eye camera, reflecting infraredlight from the dedicated eye light toward the user's eye and the eyecamera can include a high pass filter that absorbs visible lightassociated with the displayed image while passing infrared lightassociated with the eye image.

In an embodiment of the eye imaging system, the lens for the eye camerais designed to take into account the optics associated with the uppermodule 202 and the lower module 204. This is accomplished by designingthe eye camera to include the optics in the upper module 202 and opticsin the lower module 204, so that a high MTF image is produced, at theimage sensor in the eye camera, of the wearer's eye. In yet a furtherembodiment, the eye camera lens is provided with a large depth of fieldto eliminate the need for focusing the eye camera to enable sharp imagesof the eye to be captured. Where a large depth of field is typicallyprovided by a high f/# lens (e.g. f/#>5). In this case, the reducedlight gathering associated with high f/# lenses is compensated by theinclusion of a dedicated eye light to enable a bright image of the eyeto be captured. Further, the brightness of the dedicated eye light canbe modulated and synchronized with the capture of eye images so that thededicated eye light has a reduced duty cycle and the brightness ofinfrared light on the wearer's eye is reduced.

In a further embodiment, FIG. 20 a shows an illustration of an eye imagethat is used to identify the wearer of the HWC. In this case, an imageof the wearer's eye 3611 is captured and analyzed for patterns ofidentifiable features 3612. The patterns are then compared to a databaseof eye images to determine the identity of the wearer. After theidentity of the wearer has been verified, the operating mode of the HWCand the types of images, applications, and information to be displayedcan be adjusted and controlled in correspondence to the determinedidentity of the wearer. Examples of adjustments to the operating modedepending on who the wearer is determined to be or not be include:making different operating modes or feature sets available, shuttingdown or sending a message to an external network, allowing guestfeatures and applications to run, etc.

FIG. 20 b is an illustration of another embodiment using eye imaging, inwhich the sharpness of the displayed image is determined based on theeye glint produced by the reflection of the displayed image from thewearer's eye surface. By capturing images of the wearer's eye 3611, aneye glint 3622, which is a small version of the displayed image can becaptured and analyzed for sharpness. If the displayed image isdetermined to not be sharp, then an automated adjustment to the focus ofthe HWC optics can be performed to improve the sharpness. This abilityto perform a measurement of the sharpness of a displayed image at thesurface of the wearer's eye can provide a very accurate measurement ofimage quality. Having the ability to measure and automatically adjustthe focus of displayed images can be very useful in augmented realityimaging where the focus distance of the displayed image can be varied inresponse to changes in the environment or changes in the method of useby the wearer.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to controlling the HWC 102through interpretations of eye imagery. In embodiments, eye-imagingtechnologies, such as those described herein, are used to capture an eyeimage or a series of eye images for processing. The image(s) may beprocessed to determine a user intended action, an HWC predeterminedreaction, or other action. For example, the imagery may be interpretedas an affirmative user control action for an application on the HWC 102.Or, the imagery may cause, for example, the HWC 102 to react in apre-determined way such that the HWC 102 is operating safely,intuitively, etc.

FIG. 21 illustrates an eye imagery process that involves imaging the HWC102 wearer's eye(s) and processing the images (e.g. through eye imagingtechnologies described herein) to determine in what position 3702 theeye is relative to it's neutral or forward looking position and/or theFOV 3708. The process may involve a calibration step where the user isinstructed, through guidance provided in the FOV of the HWC 102, to lookin certain directions such that a more accurate prediction of the eyeposition relative to areas of the FOV can be made. In the event thewearer's eye is determined to be looking towards the right side of theFOV 3708 (as illustrated in FIG. 21 , the eye is looking out of thepage) a virtual target line may be established to project what in theenvironment the wearer may be looking towards or at. The virtual targetline may be used in connection with an image captured by camera on theHWC 102 that images the surrounding environment in front of the wearer.In embodiments, the field of view of the camera capturing thesurrounding environment matches, or can be matched (e.g. digitally), tothe FOV 3708 such that making the comparison is made more clear. Forexample, with the camera capturing the image of the surroundings in anangle that matches the FOV 3708 the virtual line can be processed (e.g.in 2 d or 3 d, depending on the camera images capabilities and/or theprocessing of the images) by projecting what surrounding environmentobjects align with the virtual target line. In the event there aremultiple objects along the virtual target line, focal planes may beestablished corresponding to each of the objects such that digitalcontent may be placed in an area in the FOV 3708 that aligns with thevirtual target line and falls at a focal plane of an intersectingobject. The user then may see the digital content when he focuses on theobject in the environment, which is at the same focal plane. Inembodiments, objects in line with the virtual target line may beestablished by comparison to mapped information of the surroundings.

In embodiments, the digital content that is in line with the virtualtarget line may not be displayed in the FOV until the eye position is inthe right position. This may be a predetermined process. For example,the system may be set up such that a particular piece of digital content(e.g. an advertisement, guidance information, object information, etc.)will appear in the event that the wearer looks at a certain object(s) inthe environment. A virtual target line(s) may be developed thatvirtually connects the wearer's eye with an object(s) in the environment(e.g. a building, portion of a building, mark on a building, gpslocation, etc.) and the virtual target line may be continually updateddepending on the position and viewing direction of the wearer (e.g. asdetermined through GPS, e-compass, IMU, etc.) and the position of theobject. When the virtual target line suggests that the wearer's pupil issubstantially aligned with the virtual target line or about to bealigned with the virtual target line, the digital content may bedisplayed in the FOV 3704.

In embodiments, the time spent looking along the virtual target lineand/or a particular portion of the FOV 3708 may indicate that the weareris interested in an object in the environment and/or digital contentbeing displayed. In the event there is no digital content beingdisplayed at the time a predetermined period of time is spent looking ata direction, digital content may be presented in the area of the FOV3708. The time spent looking at an object may be interpreted as acommand to display information about the object, for example. In otherembodiments, the content may not relate to the object and may bepresented because of the indication that the person is relativelyinactive. In embodiments, the digital content may be positioned inproximity to the virtual target line, but not in-line with it such thatthe wearer's view of the surroundings are not obstructed but informationcan augment the wearer's view of the surroundings. In embodiments, thetime spent looking along a target line in the direction of displayeddigital content may be an indication of interest in the digital content.This may be used as a conversion event in advertising. For example, anadvertiser may pay more for an add placement if the wearer of the HWC102 looks at a displayed advertisement for a certain period of time. Assuch, in embodiments, the time spent looking at the advertisement, asassessed by comparing eye position with the content placement, targetline or other appropriate position may be used to determine a rate ofconversion or other compensation amount due for the presentation.

An aspect of the disclosure relates to removing content from the FOV ofthe HWC 102 when the wearer of the HWC 102 apparently wants to view thesurrounding environments clearly. FIG. 22 illustrates a situation whereeye imagery suggests that the eye has or is moving quickly so thedigital content 3804 in the FOV 3808 is removed from the FOV 3808. Inthis example, the wearer may be looking quickly to the side indicatingthat there is something on the side in the environment that has grabbedthe wearer's attention. This eye movement 3802 may be captured througheye imaging techniques (e.g. as described herein) and if the movementmatches a predetermined movement (e.g. speed, rate, pattern, etc.) thecontent may be removed from view. In embodiments, the eye movement isused as one input and HWC movements indicated by other sensors (e.g. IMUin the HWC) may be used as another indication. These various sensormovements may be used together to project an event that should cause achange in the content being displayed in the FOV.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to determining a focalplane based on the wearer's eye convergence. Eyes are generallyconverged slightly and converge more when the person focuses onsomething very close. This is generally referred to as convergence. Inembodiments, convergence is calibrated for the wearer. That is, thewearer may be guided through certain focal plane exercises to determinehow much the wearer's eyes converge at various focal planes and atvarious viewing angles. The convergence information may then be storedin a database for later reference. In embodiments, a general table maybe used in the event there is no calibration step or the person skipsthe calibration step. The two eyes may then be imaged periodically todetermine the convergence in an attempt to understand what focal planethe wearer is focused on. In embodiments, the eyes may be imaged todetermine a virtual target line and then the eye's convergence may bedetermined to establish the wearer's focus, and the digital content maybe displayed or altered based thereon.

FIG. 23 illustrates a situation where digital content is moved 3902within one or both of the FOVs 3908 and 3910 to align with theconvergence of the eyes as determined by the pupil movement 3904. Bymoving the digital content to maintain alignment, in embodiments, theoverlapping nature of the content is maintained so the object appearsproperly to the wearer. This can be important in situations where 3Dcontent is displayed.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to controlling the HWC 102based on events detected through eye imaging. A wearer winking,blinking, moving his eyes in a certain pattern, etc. may, for example,control an application of the HWC 102. Eye imaging (e.g. as describedherein) may be used to monitor the eye(s) of the wearer and once apre-determined pattern is detected an application control command may beinitiated.

An aspect of the disclosure relates to monitoring the health of a personwearing a HWC 102 by monitoring the wearer's eye(s). Calibrations may bemade such that the normal performance, under various conditions (e.g.lighting conditions, image light conditions, etc.) of a wearer's eyesmay be documented. The wearer's eyes may then be monitored through eyeimaging (e.g. as described herein) for changes in their performance.Changes in performance may be indicative of a health concern (e.g.concussion, brain injury, stroke, loss of blood, etc.). If detected thedata indicative of the change or event may be communicated from the HWC102.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to security and access ofcomputer assets (e.g. the HWC itself and related computer systems) asdetermined through eye image verification. As discussed hereinelsewhere, eye imagery may be compared to known person eye imagery toconfirm a person's identity. Eye imagery may also be used to confirm theidentity of people wearing the HWCs 102 before allowing them to linktogether or share files, streams, information, etc.

A variety of use cases for eye imaging are possible based ontechnologies described herein. An aspect of the present disclosurerelates to the timing of eye image capture. The timing of the capture ofthe eye image and the frequency of the capture of multiple images of theeye can vary dependent on the use case for the information gathered fromthe eye image. For example, capturing an eye image to identify the userof the HWC may be required only when the HWC has been turned ON or whenthe HWC determines that the HWC has been put onto a wearer's head tocontrol the security of the HWC and the associated information that isdisplayed to the user, wherein the orientation, movement pattern, stressor position of the earhorns (or other portions of the HWC) of the HWCcan be used to determine that a person has put the HWC onto their headwith the intention to use the HWC. Those same parameters may bemonitored in an effort to understand when the HWC is dismounted from theuser's head. This may enable a situation where the capture of an eyeimage for identifying the wearer may be completed only when a change inthe wearing status is identified. In a contrasting example, capturingeye images to monitor the health of the wearer may require images to becaptured periodically (e.g. every few seconds, minutes, hours, days,etc.). For example, the eye images may be taken in minute intervals whenthe images are being used to monitor the health of the wearer whendetected movements indicate that the wearer is exercising. In a furthercontrasting example, capturing eye images to monitor the health of thewearer for long-term effects may only require that eye images becaptured monthly. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to selection ofthe timing and rate of capture of eye images to be in correspondencewith the selected use scenario associated with the eye images. Theseselections may be done automatically, as with the exercise example abovewhere movements indicate exercise, or these selections may be setmanually. In a further embodiment, the selection of the timing and rateof eye image capture is adjusted automatically depending on the mode ofoperation of the HWC. The selection of the timing and rate of eye imagecapture can further be selected in correspondence with inputcharacteristics associated with the wearer including age and healthstatus, or sensed physical conditions of the wearer including heartrate, chemical makeup of the blood and eye blink rate.

FIG. 24 illustrates a cross section of an eyeball of a wearer of an HWCwith focus points that can be associated with the eye imaging system ofthe disclosure. The eyeball 5010 includes an iris 5012 and a retina5014. Because the eye imaging system of the disclosure provides coaxialeye imaging with a display system, images of the eye can be capturedfrom a perspective directly in front of the eye and inline with wherethe wearer is looking. In embodiments of the disclosure, the eye imagingsystem can be focused at the iris 5012 and/or the retina 5014 of thewearer, to capture images of the external surface of the iris 5012 orthe internal portions of the eye, which includes the retina 5014. FIG.24 shows light rays 5020 and 5025 that are respectively associated withcapturing images of the iris 5012 or the retina 5014 wherein the opticsassociated with the eye imaging system are respectively focused at theiris 5012 or the retina 5014. Illuminating light can also be provided inthe eye imaging system to illuminate the iris 5012 or the retina 5014.FIG. 25 shows an illustration of an eye including an iris 5130 and asclera 5125. In embodiments, the eye imaging system can be used tocapture images that include the iris 5130 and portions of the sclera5125. The images can then be analyzed to determine color, shapes andpatterns that are associated with the user. In further embodiments, thefocus of the eye imaging system is adjusted to enable images to becaptured of the iris 5012 or the retina 5014. Illuminating light canalso be adjusted to illuminate the iris 5012 or to pass through thepupil of the eye to illuminate the retina 5014. The illuminating lightcan be visible light to enable capture of colors of the iris 5012 or theretina 5014, or the illuminating light can be ultraviolet (e.g. 340 nm),near infrared (e.g. 850 nm) or mid-wave infrared (e.g. 5000 nm) light toenable capture of hyperspectral characteristics of the eye.

FIGS. 26 a and 26 b illustrate captured images of eyes where the eyesare illuminated with structured light patterns. In FIG. 26 a , an eye5220 is shown with a projected structured light pattern 5230, where thelight pattern is a grid of lines. A light pattern of such as 5230 can beprovided by the light source 5355 by including a diffractive or arefractive device to modify the light 5357 as are known by those skilledin the art. A visible light source can also be included for the secondcamera, which can include a diffractive or refractive to modify thelight 5467 to provide a light pattern. FIG. 26 b illustrates how thestructured light pattern of 5230 becomes distorted to 5235 when theuser's eye 5225 looks to the side. This distortion comes from the factthat the human eye is not completely spherical in shape, instead theiris sticks out slightly from the eyeball to form a bump in the area ofthe iris. As a result, the shape of the eye and the associated shape ofthe reflected structured light pattern is different depending on whichdirection the eye is pointed, when images of the eye are captured from afixed position. Changes in the structured light pattern can subsequentlybe analyzed in captured eye images to determine the direction that theeye is looking.

The eye imaging system can also be used for the assessment of aspects ofhealth of the user. In this case, information gained from analyzingcaptured images of the iris 5130 or sclera 5125 are different frominformation gained from analyzing captured images of the retina 5014.Where images of the retina 5014 are captured using light thatilluminates the inner portions of the eye including the retina 5014. Thelight can be visible light, but in an embodiment, the light is infraredlight (e.g. wavelength 1 to 5 microns) and the eye camera is an infraredlight sensor (e.g. an InGaAs sensor) or a low resolution infrared imagesensor that is used to determine the relative amount of light that isabsorbed, reflected or scattered by the inner portions of the eye.Wherein the majority of the light that is absorbed, reflected orscattered can be attributed to materials in the inner portion of the eyeincluding the retina where there are densely packed blood vessels withthin walls so that the absorption, reflection and scattering are causedby the material makeup of the blood. These measurements can be conductedautomatically when the user is wearing the HWC, either at regularintervals, after identified events or when prompted by an externalcommunication. In a preferred embodiment, the illuminating light is nearinfrared or mid infrared (e.g. 0.7 to 5 microns wavelength) to reducethe chance for thermal damage to the wearer's eye. In a furtherembodiment, the light source and the camera together comprise aspectrometer wherein the relative intensity of the light reflected bythe eye is analyzed over a series of narrow wavelengths within the rangeof wavelengths provided by the light source to determine acharacteristic spectrum of the light that is absorbed, reflected orscattered by the eye. For example, the light source can provide a broadrange of infrared light to illuminate the eye and the camera caninclude: a grating to laterally disperse the reflected light from theeye into a series of narrow wavelength bands that are captured by alinear photodetector so that the relative intensity by wavelength can bemeasured and a characteristic absorbance spectrum for the eye can bedetermined over the broad range of infrared. In a further example, thelight source can provide a series of narrow wavelengths of light(ultraviolet, visible or infrared) to sequentially illuminate the eyeand camera includes a photodetector that is selected to measure therelative intensity of the series of narrow wavelengths in a series ofsequential measurements that together can be used to determine acharacteristic spectrum of the eye. The determined characteristicspectrum is then compared to known characteristic spectra for differentmaterials to determine the material makeup of the eye. In yet anotherembodiment, the illuminating light is focused on the retina and acharacteristic spectrum of the retina is determined and the spectrum iscompared to known spectra for materials that may be present in theuser's blood. For example, in the visible wavelengths 540 nm is usefulfor detecting hemoglobin and 660 nm is useful for differentiatingoxygenated hemoglobin. In a further example, in the infrared, a widevariety of materials can be identified as is known by those skilled inthe art, including: glucose, urea, alcohol and controlled substances.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an intuitive userinterface mounted on the HWC 102 where the user interface includestactile feedback (otherwise referred to as haptic feedback) to the userto provide the user an indication of engagement and change. Inembodiments, the user interface is a rotating element on a templesection of a glasses form factor of the HWC 102. The rotating elementmay include segments such that it positively engages at certainpredetermined angles. This facilitates a tactile feedback to the user.As the user turns the rotating element it ‘clicks’ through it'spredetermined steps or angles and each step causes a displayed userinterface content to be changed. For example, the user may cycle througha set of menu items or selectable applications. In embodiments, therotating element also includes a selection element, such as apressure-induced section where the user can push to make a selection.

FIG. 27 illustrates a human head wearing a head-worn computer in aglasses form factor. The glasses have a temple section 11702 and arotating user interface element 11704. The user can rotate the rotatingelement 11704 to cycle through options presented as content in thesee-through display of the glasses. FIG. 28 illustrates several examplesof different rotating user interface elements 11704 a, 11704 b and 11704c. Rotating element 11704 a is mounted at the front end of the templeand has significant side and top exposure for user interaction. Rotatingelement 11704 b is mounted further back and also has significantexposure (e.g. 270 degrees of touch). Rotating element 11704 c has lessexposure and is exposed for interaction on the top of the temple. Otherembodiments may have a side or bottom exposure.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a haptic system in ahead-worn computer. Creating visual, audio, and haptic sensations incoordination can increase the enjoyment or effectiveness of awareness ina number of situations. For example, when viewing a movie or playing agame while digital content is presented in a computer display of ahead-worn computer, it is more immersive to include coordinated soundand haptic effects. When presenting information in the head-worncomputer, it may be advantageous to present a haptic effect to enhanceor be the information. For example, the haptic sensation may gentlycause the user of the head-worn computer believe that there is somepresence on the user's right side, but out of sight. It may be a verylight haptic effect to cause the ‘tingling’ sensation of a presence ofunknown origin. It may be a high intensity haptic sensation tocoordinate with an apparent explosion, either out of sight or in-sightin the computer display. Haptic sensations can be used to generate aperception in the user that objects and events are close by. As anotherexample, digital content may be presented to the user in the computerdisplays and the digital content may appear to be within reach of theuser. If the user reaches out his hand in an attempt to touch thedigital object, which is not a real object, the haptic system may causea sensation and the user may interpret the sensation as a touchingsensation. The haptic system may generate slight vibrations near one orboth temples for example and the user may infer from those vibrationsthat he has touched the digital object. This additional dimension insensory feedback can be very useful and create a more intuitive andimmersive user experience.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to controlling andmodulating the intensity of a haptic system in a head-worn computer. Inembodiments, the haptic system includes separate piezo strips such thateach of the separate strips can be controlled separately. Each strip maybe controlled over a range of vibration levels and some of the separatestrips may have a greater vibration capacity than others. For example, aset of strips may be mounted in the arm of the head-worn computer (e.g.near the user's temple, ear, rear of the head, substantially along thelength of the arm, etc.) and the further forward the strip the highercapacity the strip may have. The strips of varying capacity could bearranged in any number of ways, including linear, curved, compoundshape, two dimensional array, one dimensional array, three dimensionalarray, etc.). A processor in the head-worn computer may regulate thepower applied to the strips individually, in sub-groups, as a whole,etc. In embodiments, separate strips or segments of varying capacity areindividually controlled to generate a finely controlled multi-levelvibration system. Patterns based on frequency, duration, intensity,segment type, and/or other control parameters can be used to generatesignature haptic feedback. For example, to simulate the haptic feedbackof an explosion close to the user, a high intensity, low frequency, andmoderate duration may be a pattern to use. A bullet whipping by the usermay be simulated with a higher frequency and shorter duration. Followingthis disclosure, one can imagine various patterns for various simulationscenarios.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to making a physicalconnection between the haptic system and the user's head. Typically,with a glasses format, the glasses touch the user's head in severalplaces (e.g. ears, nose, forehead, etc.) and these areas may besatisfactory to generate the necessary haptic feedback. In embodiments,an additional mechanical element may be added to better translate thevibration from the haptic system to a desired location on the user'shead. For example, a vibration or signal conduit may be added to thehead-worn computer such that there is a vibration translation mediumbetween the head-worn computers internal haptic system and the user'stemple area.

FIG. 29 illustrates a head-worn computer 102 with a haptic systemcomprised of piezo strips 29002. In this embodiment, the piezo strips29002 are arranged linearly with strips of increasing vibration capacityfrom back to front of the arm 29004. The increasing capacity may beprovided by different sized strips, for example. This arrangement cancause a progressively increased vibration power 29003 from back tofront. This arrangement is provided for ease of explanation; otherarrangements are contemplated by the inventors of the presentapplication and these examples should not be construed as limiting. Thehead-worn computer 102 may also have a vibration or signal conduit 29001that facilitates the physical vibrations from the haptic system to thehead of the user 29005. The vibration conduit may be malleable to formto the head of the user for a tighter or more appropriate fit.

An aspect of the present invention relates to a head-worn computer,comprising: a frame adapted to hold a computer display in front of auser's eye; a processor adapted to present digital content in thecomputer display and to produce a haptic signal in coordination with thedigital content display; and a haptic system comprised of a plurality ofhaptic segments, wherein each of the haptic segments is individuallycontrolled in coordination with the haptic signal. In embodiments, thehaptic segments comprise a piezo strip activated by the haptic signal togenerate a vibration in the frame. The intensity of the haptic systemmay be increased by activating more than one of the plurality of hapticsegments. The intensity may be further increased by activating more than2 of the plurality of haptic segments. In embodiments, each of theplurality of haptic segments comprises a different vibration capacity.In embodiments, the intensity of the haptic system may be regulateddepending on which of the plurality of haptic segments is activated. Inembodiments, each of the plurality of haptic segments are mounted in alinear arrangement and the segments are arranged such that the highercapacity segments are at one end of the linear arrangement. Inembodiments, the linear arrangement is from back to front on an arm ofthe head-worn computer. In embodiments, the linear arrangement isproximate a temple of the user. In embodiments, the linear arrangementis proximate an ear of the user. In embodiments, the linear arrangementis proximate a rear portion of the user's head. In embodiments, thelinear arrangement is from front to back on an arm of the head-worncomputer, or otherwise arranged.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a head-worn computer with avibration conduit, wherein the vibration conduit is mounted proximatethe haptic system and adapted to touch the skin of the user's head tofacilitate vibration sensations from the haptic system to the user'shead. In embodiments, the vibration conduit is mounted on an arm of thehead-worn computer. In embodiments, the vibration conduit touches theuser's head proximate a temple of the user's head. In embodiments, thevibration conduit is made of a soft material that deforms to increasecontact area with the user's head.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a haptic array system ina head-worn computer. The haptic array(s) that can correlate vibratorysensations to indicate events, scenarios, etc. to the wearer. Thevibrations may correlate or respond to auditory, visual, proximity toelements, etc. of a video game, movie, or relationships to elements inthe real world as a means of augmenting the wearer's reality. As anexample, physical proximity to objects in a wearer's environment, suddenchanges in elevation in the path of the wearer (e.g. about to step off acurb), the explosions in a game or bullets passing by a wearer. Hapticeffects from a piezo array(s) that make contact the side of the wearer'shead may be adapted to effect sensations that correlate to other eventsexperienced by the wearer.

FIG. 29 a illustrates a haptic system according to the principles of thepresent disclosure. In embodiments the piezo strips are mounted ordeposited with varying width and thus varying force Piezo Elements on arigid or flexible, non-conductive substrate attached, to or part of thetemples of glasses, goggles, bands or other form factor. Thenon-conductive substrate may conform to the curvature of a head by beingcurved and it may be able to pivot (e.g. in and out, side to side, upand down, etc.) from a person's head. This arrangement may be mounted tothe inside of the temples of a pair of glasses. Similarly, the vibrationconduit, described herein elsewhere, may be mounted with a pivot. As canbe seen in FIG. 29 a , the piezo strips 29002 may be mounted on asubstrate and the substrate may be mounted to the inside of a glassesarm, strap, etc. The piezo strips in this embodiment increase invibration capacity as they move forward.

To make compact optics for head-worn computers, it is advantageous touse a wide cone of light from the image source. A wide cone of lightfrom the image source is especially important if the optics are toprovide the user with a wide field of view as the wide cone makes iteasier for the optics to spread the ray bundles of the image light fromthe small image source to the larger area of the combiner when providingthe wide angular field of image light that makes up the wide field ofview. In this way, the optics for head worn computers are very differentfrom a display such as a television where a viewer sees the display froma very limited cone of image light.

FIG. 35 a shows an illustration of a typical compact optical system35060 with a folded optical path wherein light rays are shown passingthrough the optics from the emissive image source 35030 to the eyebox35065 where the user can view the image. as shown in FIG. 35 a , imagelight is emitted by the image source 35030. The image light is thencondensed by the lens 35075 so that a converging field of view isprovided to the eyebox after being reflected by the beam splitter 35070.In this example, the angular size of the field of view is ultimatelyestablished by the size of the lens 35075 and the optical distance fromthe lens 35075 to the eyebox 35065. This can be seen by following thediverging rays 35064 from the eyebox 35065 to the beam splitter 35070where they are folded by reflection from the beam splitter 35070 andthen to the lens 35075. Where the angle between the outermost rays 35064form the field of view associated with the displayed image. To make theoptical system 35060 lower cost and light weight, it is advantageous touse a small image source 35030. To make the optical system 35060compact, it is advantageous to use a folded optical path as shown inFIG. 35 a wherein the fold is provided by the beam splitter 35070, butother folded configurations are also possible. Another important factorthat enables the optical system 35060 to be compact is to use a widecone of image light from the image source 35030 which enables the imagesource 35030 to be positioned close to the lens 35075. FIGS. 35 b and 35c illustrate how using a short focal length lens in an optical systemenables a more compact overall length while also providing a wider fieldof view to the user's eye. FIG. 35 b shows a typical thin lens layoutwith a relatively long focal length and a relatively narrow field ofview, wherein the image source 35085 is positioned at the focal lengthof the lens 35082 and the eye 35080 is positioned approximately at thesame distance from the lens as the focal length. The aperture of thelens system is determined by the eyebox 35081. The ray bundles from anypoint on the image source 35085 provide a cone of light that as sampledby the lens 35082 will cover the area of the eyebox 35081. With therelatively long focal length lens 35082, the chief rays 35086 and 35087at the center of each ray bundle are shown as essentially parallel andas a result, the chief rays 35086 and 35087 sampled by the lens 35082all have a chief ray angle (the angle between the chief ray and thesurface normal of the image source) of nearly zero. In contrast, FIG. 35c shows a thin lens layout with a reduced length and a wider field ofview. This is provided by using a lens 35090 with a shorter focallength. The image source 35085 is again positioned at the focal lengthof the lens 35090 to provide a sharp image. However in this case, thechief rays 35092 and 35091 are substantially diverging in order toprovide the increased field of view to the eyebox 35081 and the user'seye 35080. Where the field of view is the subtended angle between therays provided to the eyebox 35081. As such, for a given size of imagesource 35085, optical systems that provide a wide field of view will beassociated with larger chief ray angles as sampled by the lens 35090 toprovide the image to the user's eye 35080.

In a display system for a head-worn computer such as the optical system35060 shown in FIG. 35 a , the lens 35075 samples the image lightprovided by the image source 35030 such that the chief ray anglesassociated with the ray bundles of image light that is used to form theimage seen by the user, will vary with the radial distance from thecenter of the image source 35030. Consequently, the chief ray angle istypically zero at the center of the image source 35030 and the chief rayangle increases out to the corner of the image source 35030 where itreaches it's greatest value. For an optical system 35060 that provides afield of view of 30 degrees or greater, the chief ray angle can be 25degrees or greater. For an optical system 35060 that provides a field ofview of 50 degrees or greater, the chief ray angle can be 40 degrees orgreater. Where the chief ray is the center of a cone of light rays foreach pixel in the image and the subtended angle of the cone of lightrays in the ray bundle is determined by the f # of the optical system35060. As such the angular distribution of the image light that providesthe image to the user at the eyebox 35065 is determined by the chief rayangles and the f # of the optical system 35060. To provide uniformbrightness and color to the user over the entire image, the image source35030 must be capable of providing uniform brightness and color for allof the pixels in the image regardless of the chief ray angle associatedwith the pixel.

FIG. 30 is an illustration of a cross section of an emissive imagesource 35030 such as an OLED as it is typically provided. Wherein theimage source 35030 is comprised of pixels 30005 where each pixel 30005includes a set of subpixels 30000. For simplicity in FIG. 30 and others(FIGS. 37, 38, 39, and 40 ) Pixel 1 is presented as the center pixel onthe image source 35030 and Pixel 5 is positioned near the edge of theimage source 35030. Each set of subpixels 30000 provide the color setassociated with each pixel 30005, such as red, green and blue, or cyan,magenta, yellow but other configurations of sets of subpixels 30000 arepossible such as including a white subpixel with each pixel 30005. Whilethe subpixels 30000 can be made to directly emit different colors, inmany cases, it is advantageous for manufacturers of OLED image sourcesto provide subpixels 30000 comprised of white emitting subpixels 30000with an associated color filter array 30020 to convert the emitted whitelight from each subpixel 30000 to the appropriate color for the subpixel30000. Where the color filter array 30020 can be separated from thewhite emitting subpixels 30000 by a transparent layer 30010 that isprovided for a variety of reasons such as to provide a moisture barrierover the pixels 30005. The color filter array 30020 can also beprotected by a cover glass (not shown) that is positioned directly overthe color filter array 30020. Many of the OLED microdisplays availableat this time are made in this way with white emitting subpixels 30000, atransparent layer 30010 and a color filter array 30020 with a coverglass. This alignment of the color filters 30020 directly overassociated subpixels 30000 provides good color rendition across theimage when viewed from a position directly above the image source 35030where the viewing angle is relatively uniform. However, when viewed froman angle so that a chief ray angle of greater than approximately 20degrees such in the optical system shown in FIG. 35 c , the colorrendition changes and a shift in the color of the image is observed. Thereasons for this color shift will be explained in more detail below.

FIGS. 31, 32 and 33 show illustrations of examples of common layouts forthe color filters associated with subpixels on image sources. FIG. 31shows a color filter layout 31010 wherein the colors repeat in rows andthe rows are offset from one another by one subpixel. FIG. 32 shows acolor filter layout 33010 wherein the colors repeat in rows. FIG. 33shows a color filter layout 33010 wherein the colors repeat in rows andeach row is offset from neighboring rows by 1½ subpixels. As shown inFIG. 31 , a pixel 31015 is comprised of three subpixels 30000 with red,green and blue color filters arranged in a linear pattern. While thepixel 31015 is shown to be rectangular with square subpixels 30000 forsimplicity, pixels 31015 are typically actually square with rectangularsubpixels 30000. Similarly, FIG. 32 shows pixels 33015 comprised ofsubpixels 30000 with red-green and blue color filter linearly arranged.FIG. 33 shows a different layout wherein a pixel 33015 is comprised ofsubpixels 30000 that include red, green and blue color filters. However,in this case, the subpixels 30000 and color filters are arranged in atriangle to make the pixel appear as more of a round spot in the image.

FIG. 34 shows an illustration of rays 34025 of image light as emitted bya single subpixel 30000 in a pixel 30005. The subpixel 30000 emits whitelight with an angular cone subtended by the rays 34025. The rays 34025then pass through the transparent layer 30010 and the color filters30020. However the angular cone subtended by the rays 34025 is largeenough that the rays pass through not only the color filter 30020associated with the particular subpixel 30000, but also the adjacentcolor filters 30020 that are associated with adjacent subpixels 30000.Since as shown in FIGS. 31, 32 and 33 the adjacent subpixels may havecolor filters of different colors, the rays 34025 will have differentcolors depending on which color filter they have passed through. Assuch, the color produced by a subpixel 30000 varies depending on theangle that it is viewed from above the image source 130. This effect isresponsible for causing a color shift in images displayed in head-worncomputers that becomes more noticeable as the chief ray angle increasessuch as near the edges or sides of the displayed image.

FIG. 35 is an illustration of how the ray angles of the image lightsampled by a lens in forming an image for display in a typical compacthead-worn computer vary across an image source 35030. Image light rays35040 as sampled by the lens 35035 to form an image for display to auser have a chief ray angle that varies across the image source 35030.In the center of the image source 35030, the ray 35045 has a zero chiefray angle. In contrast, the ray 35050 at an edge of the image source35030 has a chief ray angle that is approximately 45 degrees as shown.FIG. 36 is an illustration of the chief ray angles sampled by the lens35035 over the surface of the image source 35030. This illustrationshows how the chief ray angle varies based on the radial distance fromthe center of the image source 35030. Ray 35050 has the largest chiefray angle because the associated pixel 30005 is located adjacent to thecorner of the image source 35030 thereby positioning the pixel 30005radially furthest from the center of the image source 35030. As such,when the chief ray angle for the rays 35040 is considered in combinationwith the effect described with FIG. 34 and the thickness of thetransparent layer 30010, ray 35045 would be of the intended color andray 35050 would be of another color that came from an adjacent colorfilter 30020. These color differences will be visible in the image thatis displayed to the user

FIG. 37 is an illustration of a cross section of a portion of an imagesource 35030 wherein Pixel 1 is a center pixel and Pixel 5 is an edgepixel. Rays 34025 are shown emitted as a cone of rays (only half of thecone of rays emitted by each subpixel is shown to simplify the figure)for one subpixel 30000 in each pixel 30005. While each subpixel 30000emits the same cone of rays 34025, the lens 35035 only samples a smallportion of the rays 34025 emitted by each subpixel 30000. Where thesampled portion of the rays 34025 is different for each subpixel 30000depending on the chief ray angle associated with the pixel 30005 and theradial position of the pixel 30005 relative to the center of the imagesource 35030. As a result, while each subpixel 30000 shown with emittedrays 34025 in FIG. 37 can be thought of as a red subpixel because a redcolor filter is positioned directly over each subpixel 30000, the colorsof the sampled rays (shown as dark lines in FIG. 37 ) will progressivelyshift from red (ray 37045) to green (ray 37050). Consequently methodsare needed to compensate for the color shift encountered at the edgesand corners of images displayed in head-worn computers when the opticalsystems use high chief ray angles.

FIG. 38 shows a modified color filter array 38020 wherein the colorfilter array 38020 is somewhat larger than the array of subpixels 30000.As a result, the position of the color filters over the subpixels 30000is progressively outwardly offset for subpixels that are positionedfurther away from the center of the image source. FIG. 39 shows theeffect of the progressively offset color filter array 39020. Each of thesubpixels 30000 emits the same cone of rays 34025 as shown in FIG. 37 ,but now the rays that are sampled by the lens 39045 (shown as darklines) all pass through the red color filter in the color filter array39020 so that each of the subpixels 30000 shown in the same relativeposition within the pixels 30005 produce the same red color in the imagedisplayed to the user in the optical system 35060. As such, theprogressively offset color filter array 39020 effectively compensatesfor the increasing chief ray angle that enables compact optical systemswith a wide field of view. Where the progressive offset of the colorfilter array can be radially based, linearly based with a progressive Xdirection shift or rectilinearly based with a progressive X directionand Y direction shift. Where a radial shift or a rectinlinear shift arewell suited for a symmetric arrangement of the subpixels and colorfilters such as is shown in FIG. 33 . A linearly based shift is wellsuited for a more rectangular arrangement of subpixels and color filterssuch as shown in FIG. 32 or a version of FIG. 31 wherein the pixels aresquare and the subpixels and color filters are rectangular. Thisembodiment can be implemented by changing the color filter array patternthat is applied to the image source.

FIG. 40 shows an illustration of an optical solution wherein the raysfrom each subpixel 30000 are repointed so that zero angle rays (raysthat are emitted perpendicular to the surface of the image source)become rays with the chief ray angle matched to the sampling of thelens. As shown in FIG. 40 , zero angle rays from all of the subpixelsare repointed by an optical film 40060 thereby forming rays withprogressively greater chief ray angles in correspondence to what thelens 35035 samples to form the image for the user. As shown in FIG. 40 ,the optical film 40060 is a diffractive lens or a Fresnel lens thatprogressively refracts the zero angle ray provided by subpixels 30000and pixels 30005 so that subpixels 30000 and pixels 30005 that arepositioned farther from the center of the image source 35030 arerefracted more to give them a greater chief ray angle. The optical film40060 can be attached to the upper surface of the image source 35030 (orattached to a cover glass over the color filter array) to make acompensated image source module or the optical film 40060 can beretained separately. This embodiment provides a further advantage inthat the zero angle rays, which are emitted perpendicular to the surfaceof the subpixel 30000, include the most intense image light so that theimage provided to the user will be brighter.

In alternative embodiments, the optical film 40060 can includemicrolenses to repoint the zero angle. The microlenses can be providedas a microlens array in an optical film or alternatively the microlensescan be applied directly to a cover glass over the color filter array.Microlenses provide a further advantage in that the cone of lightemitted by the subpixel can be condensed to utilize more of the lightemitted by the subpixel and thereby improve energy efficiency.

In a further embodiment, the color shift caused by the chief ray angleof the rays sampled by the lens 35035 and the thickness of thetransparent layer 30010, is compensated in the digital image by changingthe digital code values presented to the pixels in the digital image. Inthis case, the layout of the color filter array 30020 is also taken intoaccount so that a digital shift equation is applied to the digital imageprior to being displayed on the head-worn display. Where the digitalshift equation includes the position of the subpixel relative to thecenter of the image source, the chief ray angle for rays sampled by thelens at that position, the thickness of the transparent layer as well asthe relative position of the color filters adjacent to and surroundingthe subpixel. FIG. 41 shows an illustration of an array of subpixels onan image source, where 41080 is the center point of the image source and41082 is a subpixel in the array of subpixels. The arrow shown shows thedistance from the center 41080 to the subpixel 41082. The digital shiftequation thereby determines which pixels will have a color shift causedby the emitted light exiting through an adjacent color filter and thendetermining how the code values associated with the pixel need to beshifted between subpixels within the digital image to provide a modifieddigital image that when viewed by the user in the head-worn computerwill have the colors intended to be included in the digital image. Thedistance of the pixel 41082 from the center of the image source 41080and the lens characteristics (e.g. focal length) determines the chiefray angle for the pixel which along with the thickness of thetransparent layer 30010 determines whether the sampled ray from thesubpixel 41082 will exit through the intended color filter as shown inFIG. 37 as ray 37045, or whether the sampled ray will exit through anadjacent color filter as shown by ray 37050. To compensate for thesampled rays exiting through adjacent color filters, the code values forthe pixel in the digital image are shifted in the opposite direction(e.g. toward the center of the image) to an adjacent subpixel. Whereineach code value associated with a pixel determines how brightly eachsubpixel in the set of subpixels will emit white light, and consequentlyhow bright each color associated with the pixel in the image will be. Assuch in this method, the relationship between the subpixels and thecolors produced by the subpixels in the displayed image is changed totake into account the effect of the lens and the distribution of rayangles used by the lens to provide the displayed image within thehead-worn computer. When shifting the code values to an adjacentsubpixel, the adjacent subpixel may be in the same pixel or in anadjacent pixel. Equation 1 is an example of a digital shift equation fora subpixel, wherein: Ps is the number of subpixels that the code valueis to be laterally shifted by; d is the distance from the center of theimage source to the position of the subpixel; t is the thickness of thetransparent layer; fL, is the focal length of the lens; C is a functionof the color filter array layout surrounding the subpixel; and f(a) is afunction of the angle of the chief ray angle relative to the colorfilter array layout. Equation 1 is shown as an example of a digitalshift equation but other equations are possible.Ps=(dXt/fL)(CXf(α))  Equation 1

For example as shown in FIG. 37 , the code values for pixels 1 and 2will not be shifted because the sampled rays from each subpixel (samplesrays are shown as dark lines) exit through their intended color filtersas shown by ray 37045 exiting through a red color filter. In contrast,the code values for pixels 4 and 5 will be shifted by one subpixelbecause the sampled rays exit through the adjacent color filter as shownby ray 37050 which exits through a green color filter. As such the codevalues for all the subpixels in pixels 4 and 5 will be shifted to theleft by one subpixel so that the emitted light will exit through theintended color filter. For cases such as shown by ray 37052 where thesampled ray from a subpixel in pixel 3 exits partially through a redcolor filter and partially through a green color filter, the code valuesfor the pixel 3 subpixels can be shared between subpixels, for exampleby averaging the code values between the two subpixels and therebyproviding a ½ subpixel shift. Alternatively, code value shifts can belimited to whole subpixels and the code value shift is only applied whenthe majority of the sampled ray associated with the subpixel will exitthrough the adjacent color filter.

Looking at the color filter array patterns shown in FIGS. 31, 32 and 33, code value shifts between subpixels will vary depending on the colorfilter array pattern. For the color filter array pattern shown in FIG.32 , code values shifts between subpixels are only provided to reducecolor shifts in the horizontal direction. Since the color filter arrayincludes vertical stripes of the same color, increasing chief ray anglewill only cause a color shift in the horizontal direction and not in thevertical direction. However, for the color filter array patterns shownin FIGS. 31 and 33 , code shifting between subpixels will be needed inboth X and Y directions as the chief ray angle increases toward thecorners of the image. For example for the color filter array shown inFIG. 31 , for a pixel positioned horizontally from the center of theimage source with a chief ray angle that causes the emitted light from asubpixel to go into the adjacent color filter, red code values will needto be shifted left into the subpixel under the blur color filter.Similarly the green code values will need to be shifted left into thesubpixel under the red color filter and likewise, the blue code valuewill need to be shifted left to the subpixel under the green colorfilter. For a pixel located in the top right corner of the image sourcecode values will need to be shifted to the left and down to make thelight rays emitted by the subpixel and sampled by the lens to exitthrough the intended color filter.

It should be noted that all of the methods described including colorfilter shifts, ray repointing and digital pixel shifts will produce animage that when viewed from a position directly above the image sourcesuch as when viewed by eye, will actually produce an image that has poorcolor rendition. This is because when viewed in this manner the chiefray angles will all be close to zero degrees. It is only when a lenswith a relatively short focal length so that chief rays with substantialchief ray angles are sampled by the lens when viewing the image, thatthe color rendition will be improved by these methods. As such, themethod would not be useful on a television type display or in a displaysystem that uses telecentric image light. The color shift that is thetopic of this invention is only important when compact optics areincluded with a short focal length lens relative to the size of theimage source such as is used to provide a head-worn computer with a widedisplay field of view with compact optical systems.

Users of smartphones often complain of neck pain caused by therepetitive stress of looking downward at the smartphone while texting,emailing or internet surfing. An illustration of a user 42010 using asmartphone 42015 wherein the user is looking at the smartphone with anextreme downward line of sight 42030 is shown in FIG. 42 . The neck paincondition has been called a variety of descriptive names including “textneck, iPhone neck, smartphone neck, etc (for example see:http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/03/text-neck-is-smartphone-use-causing-your-neck-pain/).While the issue can be reduced if the user holds the smartphone directlyin front, this is typically not comfortable for the user's arms. Theproblem is that the user is limited to being either having anuncomfortable neck when looking at the smartphone or havinguncomfortable arms holding the smartphone. A head-worn computer (HWC) isnot limited in these ways because the HWC is mounted on the user's head.In addition the user interface for an HWC can be held separately in theuser's hands (e.g. a separate keyboard). As a result a HWC can be usedin more ergonomic positions than a smartphone.

The disclosure provides a method of operation of a HWC that promotes anergonomic positioning of the user's head when viewing images on the HWC.To avoid interfering with augmented reality uses when the user is movingthrough an environment, the user's activities are monitored to determinethe type of activity that the user is engaged in. When the user isdetermined to be engaged in an activity that includes limited motionwhere an ergonomic position would be beneficial, the position of theimage in the HWC is modified so that the image content is only fullyviewable when the user's head is at an ergonomically advantagedposition.

Neck pain caused by the prolonged use of a smartphone 42015 is connectedwith the user looking downwards thereby tilting their head downwards, asshown in FIG. 42 , for extended periods of time. Wherein, the user'sline of sight 42030 is approximately 45 degrees below horizontal orgreater. In contrast, when using an HWC, the image presented by the HWCcan be viewed at any angle the user chooses to position their head. FIG.43 is an illustration of a user 42010 looking at an image in an HWC43020, wherein the user's head is positioned neutrally so the user 42010looks straight forward or slightly downward when viewing images. FIG. 44shows the relative position of the user's line of sight 44037 to thecenter of the virtual image which is preferably approximately 15 degreesbelow horizontal. The disclosure provides a method of operation thatlimits viewing of images with full image content to head angles that areergonomic.

HWCs are used in a variety of use cases including use cases where theuser moves about in a surrounding environment, such as by walking orrunning in which case head position is determined at least in part bythe surrounding environment. In this case, neck pain is not as much ofan issue and limiting the viewing of images to ergonomic head positionswould actually interfere with functional aspects of the use case.Similarly, in certain types of augmented reality use cases such asgaming where the user may not be moving in the environment, but the usecase calls for the user to move their head around a lot, neck pain isnot as much of an issue and limiting the view of image to ergonomic headangles would interfere with functional aspects of the use case. However,in those use cases where the user keeps their head relatively stillwhile viewing images for extended periods of time such as when watchinga movie or while reading email, limiting the viewing of images to headangles that are ergonomic provides a significant advantage in usercomfort.

To be able to differentiate between use cases wherein ergonomic headposition is an advantage and use cases where an ergonomic head positionwould interfere with functional aspects of the use case, the HWC needsto be able to identify what the user is doing. In embodiments thisdetermination can be done by a combination of sensors to determine howthe user is moving. In embodiments, a marker can also be associated withthe use case that identifies the use case to be one that needs the imageto be locked in position within the display field of view of the HWC orone that would provide improved user comfort if the viewing was limitedto ergonomic head positions.

Determining what the user is doing relative to whether ergonomic headpositioning should be provided or not, involves determining whether theuser is moving about in the environment and whether the user issubstantially moving their head. The HWC can include various sensorsthat can be used to determine what the user is doing. The sensors mayinclude an inertial measurement unit (IMU), which can include gyroscopesand accelerometers to measure movement and tilt, a magnetometer tomeasure compass heading, a global navigation satellite sensor (GNSS orGPS) to measure position on the earth and an altimeter to measurealtitude. Polling of the IMU and GPS can be used to determine whetherthe user is moving about in the environment and at what speed the useris moving. Slow speed (e.g. below 20 miles per hour) as indicated by theGPS along with cyclic up and down measurements from the IMU can be usedto determine whether the user is walking or running. Measurements fromthe GPS and altimeter can be used to determine whether the user is in avehicle. High speed movement (e.g. above 20 miles per hour) at a lowaltitude can indicate the user is in a vehicle such as a car. High speedmovement wherein the compass heading is largely the same as the GPSmovement aside from some periodic differences to the left and right, canindicate that the user is driving a vehicle. High speed movement whereinthe compass heading is different from the GPS movement can indicate thatthe user is a passenger in a vehicle and if the tilt is downward theuser can be indicated to be reading. Very high speed (e.g. above 150miles per hour) movement at a high altitude can indicate that the useris flying in a plane. Rapid head movements back and forth can indicatethat the user is looking for something. If the head movements correspondto changes in the displayed image, the user can be determined to bereacting to augmented reality imagery. Thus movement signaturescorresponding to combinations of different types of measurement patternsfrom sensors in the HWC can be used to determine what the user is doing.

In cases where the user is determined to be stationary or to be apassenger in a vehicle or a plane, the HWC can automatically switch to amode of operation in which the image content is only fully viewable whenthe HWC is oriented within a range of degrees from horizontal (e.g. −10to −20 degrees from horizontal) that is considered ergonomicallyadvantaged. Wherein the HWC is preferably setup to follow the ergonomicrecommendations for a workspace that includes a computer monitor. In theergonomic recommendations for computer workstations (for example seehttp://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/pdf/pubs/1863.pdf) the upper edge of themonitor should be positioned to be horizontally opposite to the user'seye and the middle of the monitor should be viewable with the user's eyeat 15 degrees below horizontal. FIG. 44 is an illustration showing auser 42010 with an HWC 43020 positioned to provide a line of sight 44037to the center of a virtual image 44040 that is approximately 15 degreesbelow horizontal and the line of sight to the top of the virtual image44035 is approximately horizontal. FIG. 45 shows an example of a virtualimage 44040 as seen by the user 42010 when the user's head is positionedas shown in FIGS. 43 and 44 where the user is presented with a full viewof the virtual image 44040 including all the image content.

In contrast, FIG. 46 shows an example in which the user is lookingdownward at approximately 30 degrees. In this case, the disclosureprovides a modified virtual image 47040 comprised of less than half ofthe image content included in virtual image 44040 and the half of theimage content is presented in the upper portion of the modified virtualimage 47040 as shown in FIG. 47 . In this way the user is encouraged toview images with his head held at an ergonomic angle where the user canview virtual image 44040 that includes all of the image content. Largerdisplay fields of view may increase the difference between the angle ofthe line of sight to the top of the virtual image and the angle of theline of sight to the center of the virtual image.

In a more general case, a portion of the image content 47045 included inthe virtual image 44040 is presented in the modified virtual image 47040in correspondence to the deviation between a target ergonomic angle forthe line of sight to the center of the image 44037 and the actual anglefor the line of sight to the center of the image. The larger thedeviation, the smaller the portion of the image content 47045 that ispresented within the modified virtual image 47040. By moving the portionof the image content 47045 upwards in the modified virtual image 47040as the user moves his head downwards, the image content appears to belocked in place vertically relative to the environment. At the sametime, in the method of the disclosure the image content does not movelaterally within the modified virtual image 47040 if the user moves hishead laterally, because this type of movement does not affect ergonomicswhen using an HWC 42010. As such the method provided by the disclosurediffers from world locking of a virtual image to objects in theenvironment, because world locking typically includes locking of thevirtual image both vertically and laterally relative to objects in thesurrounding environment in response to movements of the user's head.Since the user of an HWC 42010 can choose the positioning of his headlaterally, he will tend to choose a comfortable and ergonomic lateralposition for his head, which is approximately looking straight ahead.This also allows the user of a HWC 42010 that provides a see-throughview of the surrounding environment to freely move his head laterally inresponse to changes in the surrounding environment while beingencouraged to hold his head in an ergonomic position vertically.

In embodiments the target angle for the line of sight 44037 to thecenter of the virtual image 44040 is in the range of 10 to 20 degreesbelow horizontal. In addition, the virtual image 44040 is presented bythe HWC 43020 so that the line of sight 44037 is perpendicular to theline of sight 44037 so that the angle of the line of sight to the topand bottom of the virtual image 44040 is substantially the same therebymaking it easier for the user 42010 to view the entire image. This isdifferent from a computer workstation wherein the display is typicallyoriented vertically to reduce the space required by the workstation.Instead the HWC 43020 provides a virtual image 44040 that is presentedmore like a laptop wherein the display is tilted to orient the displayperpendicular to the user's line of sight.

The angle of the line of sight 44037 to the center of the virtual imagecan be determined from the geometry of the optics of the HWC 42010 (howthe virtual image is presented relative to the frame of the HWC 42010)and a measurement of the angle of the HWC 42010 provided by the tilt ofthe IMU. The modified virtual image 47040 can be constructed by croppingthe image content and shifting the cropped digital image content 47045vertically within the image content of the modified virtual image 47040,and then adding solid digital image content 47047 in the modifiedvirtual image 47040 to form the modified virtual image 47040. The soliddigital content 47045 is comprised of a solid color such as for exampleblack or white as best matches the current use case of the HWC 42010.Typically, for an HWC 42010 that provides a see-through view of thesurrounding environment, the solid digital image content 47047 would beblack as shown in FIG. 47 to provide the user with a clear view of thesurrounding environment through the portion of the modified virtualimage 47040 that constitutes the solid digital content 47047. Where theblack portions of the modified virtual image 47040 provide no light tothe user's eye and as such, the user sees a clear see-through view ofthe surrounding environment.

In embodiments, if the HWC 42010 is determined to be at an extreme anglerelative to horizontal (e.g greater than 30 degrees from horizontal) asmeasured by the IMU in either a vertical or sideways angle the user isdetermined to be lying down. If the user is lying down, the user's headis typically supported by a pillow or other padding so that headposition doesn't change strain the neck muscles and neck pain is not anissue. Consequently, the virtual image 44040 are presented with fullimage content (no cropping or moving) to the user.

In embodiments, a camera is included in the HWC 43020 that can capturean image of a portion of the user's body, such as the user's chest, todetermine the angle of the HWC 43020 relative to the user's body. Themethod of presenting the virtual image to encourage an ergonomicposition of the user's head while viewing images for an extended periodof time is then changed to be in correspondence to the measured angle ofthe HWC 43020 relative to the user's body. This embodiment can provide amore accurate measure of the angle of the user's head position relativeto the user's body in cases when the user's body is angled such as whenthe user is sitting in a chair and leaning back or when the user isleaning forward or backward.

While many of the embodiments herein describe see-through computerdisplays, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to see-throughcomputer displays. In embodiments, the head-worn computer may have adisplay that is not see-through. For example, the head-worn computer mayhave a sensor system (e.g. camera, ultrasonic system, radar, etc.) thatimages the environment proximate the head-worn computer and thenpresents the images to the user such that the user can understand thelocal environment through the images as opposed to seeing theenvironment directly. In embodiments, the local environment images maybe augmented with additional information and content such that anaugmented image of the environment is presented to the user. In general,in this disclosure, such see-through and non-see through systems may bereferred to as head-worn augmented reality systems, augmented realitydisplays, augmented reality computer displays, etc.

Although embodiments of HWC have been described in language specific tofeatures, systems, computer processes and/or methods, the appendedclaims are not necessarily limited to the specific features, systems,computer processes and/or methods described. Rather, the specificfeatures, systems, computer processes and/or and methods are disclosedas non-limited example implementations of HWC. All documents referencedherein are hereby incorporated by reference.

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through a machine that executes computer software, program codes,and/or instructions on a processor. The processor may be part of aserver, cloud server, client, network infrastructure, mobile computingplatform, stationary computing platform, or other computing platform. Aprocessor may be any kind of computational or processing device capableof executing program instructions, codes, binary instructions and thelike. The processor may be or include a signal processor, digitalprocessor, embedded processor, microprocessor or any variant such as aco-processor (math co-processor, graphic co-processor, communicationco-processor and the like) and the like that may directly or indirectlyfacilitate execution of program code or program instructions storedthereon. In addition, the processor may enable execution of multipleprograms, threads, and codes. The threads may be executed simultaneouslyto enhance the performance of the processor and to facilitatesimultaneous operations of the application. By way of implementation,methods, program codes, program instructions and the like describedherein may be implemented in one or more thread. The thread may spawnother threads that may have assigned priorities associated with them;the processor may execute these threads based on priority or any otherorder based on instructions provided in the program code. The processormay include memory that stores methods, codes, instructions and programsas described herein and elsewhere. The processor may access a storagemedium through an interface that may store methods, codes, andinstructions as described herein and elsewhere. The storage mediumassociated with the processor for storing methods, programs, codes,program instructions or other type of instructions capable of beingexecuted by the computing or processing device may include but may notbe limited to one or more of a CD-ROM, DVD, memory, hard disk, flashdrive, RAM, ROM, cache and the like.

A processor may include one or more cores that may enhance speed andperformance of a multiprocessor. In embodiments, the process may be adual core processor, quad core processors, other chip-levelmultiprocessor and the like that combine two or more independent cores(called a die).

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through a machine that executes computer software on a server,client, firewall, gateway, hub, router, or other such computer and/ornetworking hardware. The software program may be associated with aserver that may include a file server, print server, domain server,internet server, intranet server and other variants such as secondaryserver, host server, distributed server and the like. The server mayinclude one or more of memories, processors, computer readabletransitory and/or non-transitory media, storage media, ports (physicaland virtual), communication devices, and interfaces capable of accessingother servers, clients, machines, and devices through a wired or awireless medium, and the like. The methods, programs or codes asdescribed herein and elsewhere may be executed by the server. Inaddition, other devices required for execution of methods as describedin this application may be considered as a part of the infrastructureassociated with the server.

The server may provide an interface to other devices including, withoutlimitation, clients, other servers, printers, database servers, printservers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers andthe like. Additionally, this coupling and/or connection may facilitateremote execution of program across the network. The networking of someor all of these devices may facilitate parallel processing of a programor method at one or more location without deviating from the scope ofthe invention. In addition, all the devices attached to the serverthrough an interface may include at least one storage medium capable ofstoring methods, programs, code and/or instructions. A centralrepository may provide program instructions to be executed on differentdevices. In this implementation, the remote repository may act as astorage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

The software program may be associated with a client that may include afile client, print client, domain client, internet client, intranetclient and other variants such as secondary client, host client,distributed client and the like. The client may include one or more ofmemories, processors, computer readable transitory and/or non-transitorymedia, storage media, ports (physical and virtual), communicationdevices, and interfaces capable of accessing other clients, servers,machines, and devices through a wired or a wireless medium, and thelike. The methods, programs or codes as described herein and elsewheremay be executed by the client. In addition, other devices required forexecution of methods as described in this application may be consideredas a part of the infrastructure associated with the client.

The client may provide an interface to other devices including, withoutlimitation, servers, other clients, printers, database servers, printservers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers andthe like. Additionally, this coupling and/or connection may facilitateremote execution of program across the network. The networking of someor all of these devices may facilitate parallel processing of a programor method at one or more location without deviating from the scope ofthe invention. In addition, all the devices attached to the clientthrough an interface may include at least one storage medium capable ofstoring methods, programs, applications, code and/or instructions. Acentral repository may provide program instructions to be executed ondifferent devices. In this implementation, the remote repository may actas a storage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through network infrastructures. The network infrastructure mayinclude elements such as computing devices, servers, routers, hubs,firewalls, clients, personal computers, communication devices, routingdevices and other active and passive devices, modules and/or componentsas known in the art. The computing and/or non-computing device(s)associated with the network infrastructure may include, apart from othercomponents, a storage medium such as flash memory, buffer, stack, RAM,ROM and the like. The processes, methods, program codes, instructionsdescribed herein and elsewhere may be executed by one or more of thenetwork infrastructural elements.

The methods, program codes, and instructions described herein andelsewhere may be implemented on a cellular network having multiplecells. The cellular network may either be frequency division multipleaccess (FDMA) network or code division multiple access (CDMA) network.The cellular network may include mobile devices, cell sites, basestations, repeaters, antennas, towers, and the like.

The methods, programs codes, and instructions described herein andelsewhere may be implemented on or through mobile devices. The mobiledevices may include navigation devices, cell phones, mobile phones,mobile personal digital assistants, laptops, palmtops, netbooks, pagers,electronic books readers, music players and the like. These devices mayinclude, apart from other components, a storage medium such as a flashmemory, buffer, RAM, ROM and one or more computing devices. Thecomputing devices associated with mobile devices may be enabled toexecute program codes, methods, and instructions stored thereon.Alternatively, the mobile devices may be configured to executeinstructions in collaboration with other devices. The mobile devices maycommunicate with base stations interfaced with servers and configured toexecute program codes. The mobile devices may communicate on a peer topeer network, mesh network, or other communications network. The programcode may be stored on the storage medium associated with the server andexecuted by a computing device embedded within the server. The basestation may include a computing device and a storage medium. The storagedevice may store program codes and instructions executed by thecomputing devices associated with the base station.

The computer software, program codes, and/or instructions may be storedand/or accessed on machine readable transitory and/or non-transitorymedia that may include: computer components, devices, and recordingmedia that retain digital data used for computing for some interval oftime; semiconductor storage known as random access memory (RAM); massstorage typically for more permanent storage, such as optical discs,forms of magnetic storage like hard disks, tapes, drums, cards and othertypes; processor registers, cache memory, volatile memory, non-volatilememory; optical storage such as CD, DVD; removable media such as flashmemory (e.g. USB sticks or keys), floppy disks, magnetic tape, papertape, punch cards, standalone RAM disks, Zip drives, removable massstorage, off-line, and the like; other computer memory such as dynamicmemory, static memory, read/write storage, mutable storage, read only,random access, sequential access, location addressable, fileaddressable, content addressable, network attached storage, storage areanetwork, bar codes, magnetic ink, and the like.

The methods and systems described herein may transform physical and/oror intangible items from one state to another. The methods and systemsdescribed herein may also transform data representing physical and/orintangible items from one state to another, such as from usage data to anormalized usage dataset.

The elements described and depicted herein, including in flow charts andblock diagrams throughout the figures, imply logical boundaries betweenthe elements. However, according to software or hardware engineeringpractices, the depicted elements and the functions thereof may beimplemented on machines through computer executable transitory and/ornon-transitory media having a processor capable of executing programinstructions stored thereon as a monolithic software structure, asstandalone software modules, or as modules that employ externalroutines, code, services, and so forth, or any combination of these, andall such implementations may be within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Examples of such machines may include, but may not belimited to, personal digital assistants, laptops, personal computers,mobile phones, other handheld computing devices, medical equipment,wired or wireless communication devices, transducers, chips,calculators, satellites, tablet PCs, electronic books, gadgets,electronic devices, devices having artificial intelligence, computingdevices, networking equipment, servers, routers and the like.Furthermore, the elements depicted in the flow chart and block diagramsor any other logical component may be implemented on a machine capableof executing program instructions. Thus, while the foregoing drawingsand descriptions set forth functional aspects of the disclosed systems,no particular arrangement of software for implementing these functionalaspects should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context. Similarly, it will beappreciated that the various steps identified and described above may bevaried, and that the order of steps may be adapted to particularapplications of the techniques disclosed herein. All such variations andmodifications are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.As such, the depiction and/or description of an order for various stepsshould not be understood to require a particular order of execution forthose steps, unless required by a particular application, or explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context.

The methods and/or processes described above, and steps thereof, may berealized in hardware, software or any combination of hardware andsoftware suitable for a particular application. The hardware may includea dedicated computing device or specific computing device or particularaspect or component of a specific computing device. The processes may berealized in one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embeddedmicrocontrollers, programmable digital signal processors or otherprogrammable device, along with internal and/or external memory. Theprocesses may also, or instead, be embodied in an application specificintegrated circuit, a programmable gate array, programmable array logic,or any other device or combination of devices that may be configured toprocess electronic signals. It will further be appreciated that one ormore of the processes may be realized as a computer executable codecapable of being executed on a machine readable medium.

The computer executable code may be created using a structuredprogramming language such as C, an object oriented programming languagesuch as C++, or any other high-level or low-level programming language(including assembly languages, hardware description languages, anddatabase programming languages and technologies) that may be stored,compiled or interpreted to run on one of the above devices, as well asheterogeneous combinations of processors, processor architectures, orcombinations of different hardware and software, or any other machinecapable of executing program instructions.

Thus, in one aspect, each method described above and combinationsthereof may be embodied in computer executable code that, when executingon one or more computing devices, performs the steps thereof. In anotheraspect, the methods may be embodied in systems that perform the stepsthereof, and may be distributed across devices in a number of ways, orall of the functionality may be integrated into a dedicated, standalonedevice or other hardware. In another aspect, the means for performingthe steps associated with the processes described above may include anyof the hardware and/or software described above. All such permutationsand combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferredembodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications andimprovements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention isnot to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood inthe broadest sense allowable by law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: determining a base displayimage; capturing, via a first one or more sensors of a wearable headdevice, a captured image; determining, based on the captured image, aline of sight from a user of the wearable head device to a center of adisplay of the wearable head device; determining a viewing angle betweenthe line of sight and a horizontal plane; in accordance with adetermination that the base display image should be adjusted: generatingan edited display image, wherein generating the edited display imagecomprises: cropping the base display image to reduce a vertical displaysize, wherein the base display image includes a first image portion anda second image portion, and wherein the cropped base display imageincludes the first image portion and does not include the second imageportion, and shifting the base display image in a vertical directionwith respect to the horizontal plane, the shifting having a magnitudebased on a difference between the determined viewing angle and a desiredviewing angle; presenting the edited display image to the user via thedisplay.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired angle is 20degrees from the horizontal plane.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theposition of the center of the display relative to the user is unaffectedby lateral motion of the user.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theline of sight is determined based on an image plane of the base displayimage.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein shifting the base display imagecomprises aligning a top of the base display image with the horizontalplane.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the edited displayimage to the user via the display comprises presenting the editeddisplay image in a plane orthogonal to the line of sight.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the captured image comprises an image of an eye ofthe user and the line of sight from the user to the center of thedisplay comprises a line of sight from the eye to the center of thedisplay.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining anorientation of the wearable head device relative to the user, whereinthe line of sight from the user to the center of the display isdetermined based on the orientation.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: identifying, based on a second one or more sensors of thewearable head device, an activity of the user, wherein the determinationthat the base display image should be adjusted is made based at least inpart on the identified activity.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein thedetermination that the base display image should be adjusted comprises adetermination that the activity comprises viewing video content.
 11. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the determination that the base display imageshould be adjusted comprises a determination that the activity does notcomprise traveling in a moving vehicle.
 12. The method of claim 9,wherein the determination that the base display image should be adjustedcomprises a determination that the activity does not comprise walking orrunning.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the determination that thebase display image should be adjusted comprises a determination that theactivity does not comprise laying down.
 14. The method of claim 9,wherein the second one or more sensors include one or more of an IMU, aGPS unit, an altimeter, and a magnetometer.
 15. A wearable devicecomprising: a display: a first one or more sensors; and one or moreprocessors configured to perform: determining a base display image;capturing, via the first one or more sensors, a captured image;determining, based on the captured image, a line of sight from a user ofthe wearable head device to a center of the display; determining aviewing angle between the line of sight and a horizontal plane; inaccordance with a determination that the base display image should beadjusted: generating an edited display image, wherein generating theedited display image comprises: cropping the base display image toreduce a vertical display size, wherein the base display image includesa first image portion and a second image portion, and wherein thecropped base display image includes the first image portion and does notinclude the second image portion, and shifting the base display image ina vertical direction with respect to the horizontal plane, the shiftinghaving a magnitude based on a difference between the determined viewingangle and a desired viewing angle; presenting the edited display imageto the user via the display.
 16. The wearable device of claim 15,wherein the captured image comprises an image of an eye of the user andthe line of sight from the user to the center of the display comprises aline of sight from the eye to the center of the display.
 17. Thewearable device of claim 15, further comprising a second one or moresensors, wherein: the one or more processors are further configured toperform identifying, based on the second one or more sensors, anactivity of the user, and the determination that the base display imageshould be adjusted is made based on the identified activity.
 18. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructionsthat, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a methodcomprising: determining a base display image; capturing, via a first oneor more sensors of a wearable head device, a captured image;determining, based on the captured image, a line of sight from a user ofthe wearable head device to a center of a display of the wearable headdevice; determining a viewing angle between the line of sight and ahorizontal plane; in accordance with a determination that the basedisplay image should be adjusted: generating an edited display image,wherein generating the edited display image comprises: cropping the basedisplay image to reduce a vertical display size, wherein the basedisplay image includes a first image portion and a second image portion,and wherein the cropped base display image includes the first imageportion and does not include the second image portion, and shifting thebase display image in a vertical direction with respect to thehorizontal plane, the shifting having a magnitude based on a differencebetween the determined viewing angle and a desired viewing angle;presenting the edited display image to the user via the display.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein thecaptured image comprises an image of an eye of the user and the line ofsight from the user to the center of the display comprises a line ofsight from the eye to the center of the display.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the method furthercomprises identifying, based on a second one or more sensors of thewearable head device, an activity of the user, and wherein thedetermination that the base display image should be adjusted is madebased on the identified activity.